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Resume, References, & Cover Letter Guide

Need help with your resume, references, and cover letter? Let us help you. 

What to Include in Your Resume

A resume is a document that summarizes your work-related accomplishments and capabilities, and is typically the core component of your job and internship applications. 

It acts as a marketing tool to “brand yourself” to potential employers, so it's important to carefully consider what you choose to include in your resume and how you present it. Some career fields (like academia) and graduate schools may request a "CV," or curriculum vitae, which is another type of resume that is often longer than one page and has more sections related to academic experience.

There are a number of best practices for standard resumes related to format, language, and length. Keep reading to see what we recommend for resumes. 

Want a PDF version of our guide? Looking for sample resumes? Email us at ceo@mcdaniel.edu or visit the McDaniel portal.

CEO Portal Site

Best Practices for Resumes

Resumes may differ based on your work history and desired career field, but to begin, we recommend you avoid using widely-available templates and ensure the document is limited to one page in length. Resumes include relevant details and qualifications, including:

Contact Information

  • Your name: Should be larger and bolder than the rest of your resume.
  • Current or permanent address.
  • Cell phone number.
  • Email address: Now is the time to create and use a new email address outside of "@mcdaniel.edu." Use your email provider of choice (such as Gmail) to create a professional email address to use for job applications. YOURNAME@gmail.com is the best way to go.
  • Webpage address (if relevant): This can be your personal website, your LinkedIn profile, or a link to your online portfolio.

Education

Required:

  • Name of degree-granting institutions with most recent first.
  • Degree received (such as Bachelor or Arts) and major.
  • Graduation date with month and year (or dates of attendance if a degree was not completed).
  • Overseas academic experience (such as study abroad, dates, name of specific program/university abroad).

Optional:

  • Minors, specializations, or focus areas.
  • Honors and GPA (only if it enhances your resume).
  • Relevant courses (a maximum of five with specific course name (Professional Communication) and not course code (ENG 2212).
  • Senior capstone project title and description.
  • If seeking particular certification after graduation, consider including relevant information. For example, if CPA-bound, include “total credits: 150.”

Work Experience

A summary of experience and accomplishments including jobs and internships. List the most recent first and include:

  • Position title.
  • Name of company or organization.
  • Location of company or organization (city and state).
  • Dates worked (month and year).
  • Descriptions of skills utilized, responsibilities, and accomplishments using action verbs. Use present tense for current positions only.
  • Believable, verifiable, and quantifiable accomplishments. For example, “Managed $100,000 budget.”

Click here to learn more about writing accomplishment statements

Leadership & Service

This section should include campus involvement, volunteer work, and athletics. Follow a similar format as the work experience section of your resume in this section.

Skills & Interest

Headers can include:

  • Skills: Use the section for hard skills such as computer programs/software, technical skills, etc.
  • Languages: Highlight any foreign language skills and differentiate if you have a basic understanding, are conversant, or are fluent.
  • Interests: This information primarily serves as a conversation starter between you and an employer. List no more than three interests (such as finance, marketing, and travel).

Formatting

  • Ensure fonts are large enough that they can be read and margins are between 0.5 and 1.0 inches.
  • Save completed resumes as a PDF to ensure formatting is maintained when submitting electronically.

Tips for Cover Letters

Employers will often request a cover letter alongside your resume. Cover letters allow you to share context on why you applied (and even impress an employer with your writing skills!). There are a few things you could include, like who you are, why you're interested in a role, and extra information on your qualifications. Read the position advertisement to see if a cover letter is required. A thoughtful cover letter can help you stand out among other applicants. 

Follow these guidelines when writing your cover letters:

  • Customize your cover letter to fit each company/organization and position you are applying to. Research companies/organizations to learn about their work and mission
  • Use formal letter format and provide your full name, address, and the date
  • Address an individual in the letter (for instance, “Dear Ms. Smith”) or a group of people (such as “Dear Hiring Committee”). Never use “To Whom It May Concern” or similar salutations. Research the company or organization you’re contacting to identify an appropriate addressee
  • Briefly explain why you are interested in the job
  • A cover letter should build on the resume, but not repeat the same information
  • Express eagerness to interview and enthusiasm for the job
  • Thank the employer for their consideration of your application
  • Make sure each letter is free of typos and other errors
  • Write concisely and ensure each letter is no more than one page in length
  • Use action verbs to describe past experiences and skills
  • Save copies of all cover letters. You may be able to reuse pieces of your letter the next time you apply for a job

Best Practices for References

Your references should be in a separate document from your resume, so you can send it along only if requested. Do not include "References available upon request" on your resume, as the employer will make it clear when they are needed.

How to Request References:

  1. Do not include the names or contact info for references without first asking them for permission.
  2. Depending on your relationship with the potential reference, consider sending a professional email, LinkedIn message, or letter when requesting a reference. If a more informal verbal request is made, make sure to follow up with an email with context so they have something to reference.
  3. In the email, include specifics as to why you want their reference, a summary of your accomplishments and experiences while working with them, and a copy of your resume. When possible, also include a summary of the job posting and reasons for applying.
  4. Verify their most recent contact information so they can be easily reached.

Frequently Asked Questions about Resumes, Cover Letters, and References

Are cover letters necessary?

It's always best to defer to what an individual job or internship application is requesting. In some instances, an employer may specify they do not want cover letters with applications. If one is requested with your application, do not skip it. If it is unclear whether it's required and may be optional, it may still be a good idea to include a cover letter to help your application stand out.

How long should a resume and cover letter be?

Each should be one page long. Include only the most relevant information for the job you are applying for. Going over one page might be a sign that you're including too much. McDaniel's CEO can help you get a second perspective on what to include and how to fit it into your resume and cover letters.

Are resume objectives necessary?

We recommend you skip the objective statement. Objective statements briefly describe your intent in applying to a position. Most hiring managers find them redundant. If this information is needed, describe it in your cover letter.

Are resumes and CVs the same?

In some ways, a resume and CV are very similar documents since they include relevant information about you and your background. However, a CV (curriculum vitae) is often longer than one page and includes more information about academic pursuits like research, publications, presentations, etc. Most people don't need to create CVs, but you may need to do so if you are applying to graduate school or applying for work in academia (such as a adjunct professor).  

What should your cover letter look like?

The format of your cover letter will resemble a formal letter, with a greeting at the top and your name signing off at the end. You can also include the name and address of the employer and your own name and address at the top. The letter should be addressed to a specific individual who is hiring, whose name may be included in the job posting. For examples, you can find our Resume, References, and Cover Letter Guidelines on the CEO portal page or contact McDaniel's CEO for a copy.

How many references should I have?

Usually three. If one of your references is not responding, you may need to supply another. 

How many resume copies should I bring to an interview?

If you have an in-person interview, it can be a good practice to bring paper copies of your materials to share with interviewers. At the very least, you'll have a copy of your own resume and cover letter in front of you to easily reference as you talk. Even if the interviewers have their own, it shows you are prepared and anticipating what might be needed. Usually you will know how many people will be interviewing you beforehand, but bringing extra copies will cover you if more individuals than expected are present. 

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Get Your Resume & Cover Letter Reviewed

CEO staff members are here to help! Set up a 30-minute appointment through Handshake to have our professional staff review your application materials before you begin applying for positions, so you can make sure you're maximizing your resume and cover letter.