Resumes and Cover Letters
Resumes
Your resume is one of the most important tools for a successful job search. It is a marketing brochure that markets your unique set of skills and experiences.
Guidelines
While there are many different approaches to resume writing, you will want to be informed about the approaches most appropriate to the industries you will be targeting in your job search.
The main thing to remember is that your resume must be much more than a list of basic job descriptions.It must be accomplishment-oriented, clearly communicating what you have actually accomplished through your education and experience. If you are struggling with developing your list don't forget to think about on-campus activities or student organization involvement.
Resources
"How to Write a Resume"
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A number of resources and programs are available to students to assist in the development of a professional resume.
Resume Writing Seminar
One of the Career Center's regularly scheduled seminars is "How to Write a Professional Resume," which is designed to help you write an effective resume and stay up-to-date on employer expectations. Resume samples will be provided. Check our schedule of upcoming events for the next time this seminar will be offered.
Resume Critique
The Career Center offers a "Drop-By Resume Critique Service." Currently enrolled students and registered alumni may receive assistance on their resumes in one of the following ways:
- Stop by the Career Center (MC 1.312) No appointment is necessary during one of these drop-in times; but, it is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Be sure to bring a copy of your resume!
- Monday 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Friday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Drop off a hard copy of your resume at the Career Center and pick it up again after it has been reviewed.
- Schedule an individual appointment with one of our Career Center professionals. Be sure to bring your resume to the appointment.
- Email your resume to resumeeditor@utdallas.edu.
Resume Writing Checklist
Use our 
Resume Writing Checklist (requires Acrobat Reader) to help you develop your resume.
Cover Letters
You may be required to write a number of different types of letters during your job search process. Job search correspondence is as important as your resume. Many job seekers hurry through the letter writing process without much thought. Every piece of correspondence impacts the impression you make on the recipient.
What is a Cover Letter?
"Cover letter" is a standard term that refers to any letter written to accompany another document. Related to a job search, a cover letter is usually written to accompany your resume or other application materials that you send to employers throughout the application process.
Content and Tone of a Cover Letter
The cover letter that accompanies your resume should not re-state everything that appears on your resume; it should supplement your resume by explaining what you are applying for, how you learned of the position and what you can do for the employer. Use the cover letter to highlight your strengths and abilities and your most relevant experience in no more than three to four grammatically correct paragraphs.
Show your enthusiasm for the job or internship and use an active, conversational tone. Consider what interests you about the position and what you have done in previous jobs, volunteer experiences or academic projects that might show your reader you are a good fit for the position.
Thank-You Notes
It is also important to remember to write a thank-you letter to the employer after your interviews. Thank-you letters give you the opportunity to remind the employer of your qualifications, how you would fit in with the company, and of any additional information that you omitted during the interview. Your thank-you letter should be sent within one or two days of the interview, and it should be brief, businesslike, grammatically correct and focused.
Other Resources
A number of other resources and programs are available to assist you in writing the most effective job search letters as well.
- Letter Writing Checklist (requires Acrobat Reader)
- Career Center Library
- Career Center Seminars
- Career-Related Websites
Page last updated on March 24, 2008.
