Resume & Cover Letter

Consider the type of position that you are applying for when formatting your resume. A creative position may allow for some more unique formats while a financial or business-oriented position should focus on a traditional formatting layout.

• Keep your resume to one page unless you have more than 5 years of experience or are applying to a research or academic role.
• Keep margins between 0.5 and 1 inch.
• Use consistent, legible fonts. Your name should stand out with a larger font.
• Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished, not just what you were assigned.
• Start each bullet with a strong action word; check out the list below for ideas.
• Include quantifiable results where possible.

Pro Tip: Think beyond job titles. Highlight your problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership experiences in any context — clubs, coursework, community service, and more. It’s all valuable.

Contact Information

Include your full name, phone number, Penn State email, and LinkedIn URL if you have one. No need for your full mailing address.

Education

List Penn State first, followed by any other institutions you've attended. Include your degree, major(s), minor(s), campus, anticipated graduation date, and GPA (if 3.0+ or required). You can also consider including any honors, study abroad experiences, or relevant courses.

Pro Tip: Your GPA should match what is on your official University transcript. If your GPA is below a 3.0 consider listing your major and cumulative GPA. Contact the Registrar's office to obtain an official copy of your transcript if needed.

Experience

Give details of your accomplishments and responsibilities rather than a general list of duties. Numbers make strong statements and can enhance credibility; these can show volume, percentages, and dollar amounts.

Make sure to list most relevant experience first. Did you have an internship in the same field? Was your part-time job related to the internship you are applying for? Consider the opening and organization when arranging your experience. It does not need to be in chronological order.

Pro Tip: When describing experiences, emphasize your development in key areas like communication, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and technology. Employers want to see how you’re career-ready — your resume is a great place to start.

Skills

Highlight technical, software, language, or laboratory skills that are relevant to your field or industry.

Optional Sections

Honors, Activities, Certifications, Projects, Study Abroad, and more — use these if they support your story.

Describe your experience with dynamic action words on your resume. Pair active words with additional details and data when possible.

• Achieved
• Administered            
• Advised 
• Advocated
• Allocated
• Analyzed
• Anticipated               
• Applied  
• Approved
• Arranged
• Assessed
• Attained
• Audited 
• Balanced
• Briefed  
• Budgeted
• Built      
• Calculated
• Cared     
• Coached
• Collaborated             
• Collected
• Comforted
• Communicated         
• Compared
• Competed
• Completed
• Composed
• Computed
• Conducted
• Consulted
• Contributed               
• Converted
• Coordinated              
• Counseled
• Decided 
• Delegated
• Demonstrated          
• Designed
• Developed
• Devised 
• Diagnosed
• Directed
• Documented             
• Drafted  
• Edited    
• Eliminated
• Enforced
• Enhanced
• Ensured 
• Established               
• Estimated
• Evaluated
• Examined
• Exceeded
• Expanded
• Facilitated
• Financed
• Formulated               
• Fostered
• Founded
• Generated
• Grained 
• Guided  
• Identified
• Implemented            
• Improved
• Increased
• Initiated
• Instructed
• Integrated
• Interpreted               
• Introduced
• Invented
• Investigated              
• Launched
• Learned 
• Led        
• Maintained               
• Managed
• Mastered
• Maximized                
• Mediated
• Mentored
• Met       
• Minimized
• Modified
• Monitored
• Negotiated               
• Observed
• Obtained
• Offered 
• Operated
• Organized
• Partnered
• Performed
• Planned 
• Prepared
• Presented
• Produced
• Programmed            
• Projected
• Promoted
• Proposed
• Provided
• Raised   
• Received
• Recommended         
• Reduced
• Reorganized             
• Reported
• Researched               
• Responded                
• Reviewed
• Revised 
• Screened
• Sold       
• Solved   
• Strategized               
• Streamlined              
• Strengthened            
• Studied  
• Supervised
• Supported
• Targeted
• Taught   
• Tested   
• Trained  
• Upgraded
• Utilized
• Validated
• Visualized
• Won
• Wrote

• Make sure to use complete sentences and paragraphs when crafting your cover letter.
• Keep the layout to one page and consider using the same header layout as your resume for a polished look.
• Avoid repeating your resume and add new insights.
• Read carefully to avoid typos.

Each cover letter should be customized to the job you're applying for. Keep it clear, professional, and authentic. Here’s a basic structure to follow:

Introduction

• Say who you are and what you're applying for.
• Include how you found the position or any connection you have to the organization.

Body (1–2 paragraphs)

• Share what makes you a great fit—use specific examples from your experiences.
• Show how your values and goals align with the organization.
• Highlight relevant skills like teamwork, leadership, or problem-solving.

Closing

• Thank the reader for their time.
• Reaffirm your interest and suggest next steps (like an interview).

There are two structural formats to choose from when crafting a CV. Regardless of the format make sure to keep information short and succinct.

• Chronological Format
  This is most appropriate when you have experience directly related to your career goal. Preset education and work experience in reverse chronological order, describing responsibilities and achievements under each entry.
• Functional Format
  Use this format when pursuing a career goal not directly related to your field of study. In this format your experience is explained under major skill headings while job titles, employers, and dates are all listed separately.

Contact Information

Include your full name, phone number, Penn State email, and LinkedIn URL or professional website.

Education

Degrees, institutions, expected or completed dates, relevant honors.

Research and Teaching Experience

Include projects, lab work, assistantships, or teaching roles with descriptions.

Publications and Presentations

Peer-reviewed work, conference presentations, or poster sessions.

Grants, Awards, and Fellowships

Scholarships, competitive awards, and other distinctions.

Professional Experience

Internships, part-time jobs, or roles relevant to your career goals.

Service and Leadership

Student organizations, volunteer work, or committee participation.

Professional Affiliations

Memberships in academic or industry organizations.

Certifications and Skills

Relevant credentials, technical tools, or languages you use.

Consider the type of position that you are applying for when formatting your resume. A creative position may allow for some more unique formats while a financial or business-oriented position should focus on a traditional formatting layout.

References that are most informative and helpful are those who know different aspects of your work and who are willing to support your candidacy enthusiastically and knowledgeably. Consider reaching out to the following to serve as a reference:

• Faculty members that you have worked with closely
• Employment supervisors (current and previous)
• Advisers for extracurricular activities
• Colleagues with whom you have worked closely
• Coach or volunteer leader (to serve as a personal reference only)

Typically, you would not ask family or friends to serve as a reference.

It is not a bad idea to let the reference know why you have asked them to be a reference for you and what areas of your experience you hope they will focus on when speaking about you.

If there is a hesitation or refusal to serve as a reference know that this individual may be encouraging you to seek someone else who would write more positively or comprehensively on your behalf.