The Ohio State University ASC Career Success

Resumes and Cover Letter

Resumes and Cover Letter

Frame Your Experiences as the Solution

Match the Language:

Read through the description's qualifications carefully. Identify the core skills, attributes, and/or requirements of the role. Use the job description’s language to connect your past experiences to the employer’s needs.

Highlight Core Competencies (Skills): 

Show the skills you are developing through your Arts and Sciences major, like critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written communication, and teamwork. Partnered with a three-person team to audit a local non-profit's social media presence, translating engagement metrics into an actionable, 5-page digital communication strategy delivered directly to the organization's director.

Valuable Experiences Don’t All Look the Same: 

Don’t panic if you haven’t had an internship. Valuable skills are built through research, class projects, creative portfolios/productions, study abroad, campus leadership, volunteering, and on- or off-campus employment. Navigated unfamiliar environments and cultural differences during a short-term immersion program, developing strong cross-cultural communication and independent problem-solving skills.

Example Resume Language

Your Resume Should be Scannable

Know Your Standard Length:

  • Undergraduates: Keep your resume to a crisp, well-organized one page.
     
  • Master’s and PhD Students: A two-page resume makes sense if you have significant teaching, research, leadership and/or professional experience. Highlight both relevant and transferable experiences, translating your academic background into professional competencies that fit the role.

Keep it Clean:

  •  Avoid text boxes, tables, graphics (including profile photos), multiple columns or complex headers, as these can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS is recruitment software that helps companies organize, screen, and manage job applications.
     

Use Reverse Chronological Order:

  • List your experiences starting with the most recent to oldest within each section. 
    Consistency is Key: Keep the fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and font sizes (10pt–12pt) consistent throughout your resume.
    •  Example Resume Language
      •  Instead of "Responsible for a group history project," try:  
        • Collaborated with a four-person team to analyze historical demographic shifts, synthesizing 50+ data points into a final presentation to convey research findings.

Keep Your Writing Lean: 

  • Drop pronouns (I, we) and unnecessary filler words. Concise sentences make a resume significantly easier for a recruiter to scan quickly.
     

Submit as a PDF: 

  • Unless directed otherwise, save your document as a PDF using a professional file name format: Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf
     

Communicate "Impact," Not "Duties"

Focus on Achievements: '

  • Move beyond a basic list of daily tasks and focus on what you achieved and/or the change that resulted from your efforts.

Use this formula to draft every bullet: 

  • ACTION VERB + ISSUE (Context/What You Took Action On) + RESULT (Outcomes/Impact + Quantifiable Proof When Possible)

Lead with Action: 

  • Start every bullet point with a strong action verb to keep the focus on your achievements.

Treat It as a Work in Progress

Expect Iterations: 

  • Resume writing is a process; expect it to take several drafts and revisions to finalize before submitting.

Build for Edits:

  • Create your resume in an easily editable application like Microsoft Word.[NT1] 

Develop Multiple Versions: 

  • Tailor different versions of your resume to match the specific skills required by different types of roles.

Keep AI in Check: 

  • Use generative AI tools for brainstorming and refining but ensure the final text sounds like you and can be discussed naturally in an interview.

Save Your History: 

  • Keep prior versions of your resume for future reference.

Get Feedback: 

  • Visit the Career Studio for quick feedback on your resume and an extra set of eyes - no appointment needed.

Ready to Build Your Version?

Our template can help take some of the guesswork out of resume writing. Click below to download the editable Microsoft Word template. Choose the version that best reflects where you’re at:

  • Foundational:
    • Best for first-year undergraduates and those building their skills and experiences.
  • Advanced: 
    • Best for undergraduates tailoring their resumes for opportunities such as internships, research roles, campus or off-campus employment, and post-graduation careers.
  • MastersPhD: 
    • Best for graduate and doctoral students translating advanced research, teaching, and specialized expertise into transferable skills for roles outside the professoriate.

If you need a deep dive into what goes inside each individual section, check out our Core Resume Sections Guide.

Next Steps: Take Action