Resume and Cover Letter Building

Resume

A well-crafted resume is your first opportunity to make a strong impression. It’s a summary of your skills, education, and experience—and a key tool in landing interviews. Use these tips to build a clear, compelling resume that showcases your strengths and sets you up for success:

1. Review the job description – Identify the required and desired skills and qualifications. Look for keywords related to specific experiences or job requirements.
2. Create a list of your accomplishments – Make a list of what you are proud of! Your accomplishments can stem from any prior experience, such as jobs, volunteer work, learning experiences, relevant coursework, or notable projects you have worked on.
3. Identify your relevant skills – Compare your experiences and accomplishments with the desired skills and qualifications of each role. Use this information to emphasize skills that you’ve gained that can be used in the position that you are applying for.
4. Write descriptive action phrases – What you say is important, but how you say it can make all the difference.

Resume/CV/Cover Letter Written Feedback

If you would like feedback on your Resume, CV, or Cover Letter, start here:

1. If you need help getting started, review our resume and cover letter writing resources.
2. Submit your document with the Resume/Cover Letter/CV Feedback form. We will review it and provide written feedback within 3 business days. Please do not make an appointment until after you’ve received your written feedback. 
3. If you have any questions or clarifications about the feedback, feel free to attend our drop in “Ask a Peer” hours (check Drop In Advising calendar above for schedule), or email CC_Coach@ucsc.edu.
4. Once you’ve received feedback, update your resume.

Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)?

For some situations, such as graduate school applications, research, or academic roles, the longer CV format may be preferred.

Find out more about a curriculum vitae (CV)

What is a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A curriculum vitae, often referred to as a CV, A Curriculum Vitae (CV) provides a comprehensive overview of your scholarly and academic achievements and professional accomplishments.  

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the standard document in the US for presenting your qualifications for academic employment.
• A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements and professional accomplishments.
• A professional CV is not subject to the brevity and page requirement of resumes and are, in most cases, several pages long.
• Other than research positions or corporate “partnerships” with institutions of higher education, CVs are generally inappropriate for most jobs in the public and private sector in the US.
• Unless a CV is specifically requested, assume all academic positions at four-year universities (and some community colleges) require CVs and all other positions require resumes.

When to use it

It is common to use when applying for:

• Academic and research positions
• Grants, fellowships, and awards
• Some graduate school programs
• Overseas employment and international organization (each country may have a different format for CV’s. Do your research.

Differences between a CV and a Resume

Resume	CV
Industry employment in the U.S.	Academic, research, scientific & international employment
Brief synopsis	Detailed summary
Goal is to construct a professional identity	Goal is to construct a scholarly identity
Do not include references	Include references
1-2 pages max	No page limit

Access a CV template