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How To Mention A Referral In Your Cover Letter (With Examples)

• How To Sign A Cover Letter
• Salary Requirements In Cover Letter
• Referral In Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Body
• Use Dear Sir Or Madam?
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Having a referral by someone who is already employed at the company you’re applying to can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Mentioning a referral in your cover letter is one of the ways to do this. To help you write the best referral in your cover letter, we’ll go over how to include a reference in a cover letter, provide some referral cover letter examples, and some benefits to being referred. Key Takeaways: Make sure you have a reliable referral that is in good standing with a company, and that they know they are being included before putting down a referral. Candidates that are referred also tend to feel more of an obligation to the company, their reference, and their team, allowing them to get up to speed more quickly and adapt to the new culture and workplace more efficiently. Writing a cover letter with referral will allow you to highlight the key skills you can bring to the position and provide specific examples of why you are the best fit for this job. In This Article    Skip to section What is a referral cover letter? How to mention a referral in your cover letter Referral cover letter examples Who to ask for a referral The benefits of being referred Referral in your cover letter FAQ Final thoughts Expert Opinion References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What is a referral cover letter?

A referral cover letter is an application document for a potential job opportunity that mentions a mutual contact you may share with the hiring manager or someone in the company. This connection can be an old colleague, a friend, or a networking acquaintance who likely works at the company you are applying to.

When done effectively, you can drop their name in your cover letter to emphasize how your skills and abilities align with the job and how you’ve worked with your referral in the past. You can mention specific projects and details that you know this person may be able to vouch for.

Your cover letter is the first thing your employer or hiring manager is likely to see, so use it as your moment to shine. This document will allow you to provide additional details about your education, qualifications, skills, and work ethic. You can point to specific projects and challenges you may have experienced and discuss how you overcame them and how those abilities translate to the job you are applying for.

How to mention a referral in your cover letter

When mentioning a referral in your cover letter, make sure your referral knows you are including them before, and then mention their name in the letter and explain why they are recommending you. Here is a more detailed list of how to add reference in cover letter:

Make sure your referral knows. Mentioning a referral in your cover letter is appropriate when you have directly contacted the person you’re planning to mention as your referral. This could be someone you contacted or someone that contacted you. It can even be someone who is not your contact on LinkedIn or other networks, but you’ve reached out to them, and they’ve agreed to be a referral.

However, in instances where you have not asked for explicit permission from the person you’re planning to use as your referral or this person is not in good standing with their employer, you should stay clear of mentioning them in your cover letter .

Mention who is referring you. The purpose of the cover letter is to impress from the start . Mention your referral within the first paragraph of your note. To do this effectively, include:

The person’s name

How you know them

How they are familiar with your skills and qualifications

Explain why they are recommending you. You can give the hiring manager a quick summary of why they are recommending you and how your past experience gives you the skills required to do the job well.

Keep it short. Try to keep your referral to one single paragraph in your cover letter. The rest of your letter should expand more on you and your skills, including how the things you have learned in previous work environments are transferable to your new role .

Send a copy of your cover letter to your referral. The last thing you should do is send a copy of your cover letter to your referral so they can read it over. Doing this is a nice gesture and allows them to know what you are saying about them. Be sure to also thank them for their help.

Referral cover letter examples

We’ve included some examples of how it may look to include a referral in your cover letter.

Cover letter with referral example

Dear Angela Morris, I am writing to inquire about the Marketing Director position, which came highly recommended to me by Bill Jeffries, Vice President of Marketing at Apple, Inc. Bill and I worked closely together for several years at Nabisco, where we tackled a variety of event coordination and digital lead generation efforts. Bill believes my marketing experience and skill for developing memorable events can have a profound impact on the marketing team and organization as a whole.

Dear Larry Smith, Bill Jeffries suggested I reach out to you regarding the Marketing Director position at Apple, Inc. I met Bill while coordinating a conference at the end of last year. We worked closely together with vendors, contracts, and design. He was able to see my ability to bring booths to life, develop innovative ideas to capture new leads, and drive to continually improve marketing programs, which is why he’s referred me to this role on your team.

Dear John Riley, Tom Johnson suggested I contact you regarding the Customer Representative Position at XYZ Company. I worked with Tom last year when we worked together at ABC Corp. Working closely together allowed him to see my ability to connect with others and drive sales. This is why he referred me to this role and your team.

Who to ask for a referral

Getting a referral when you don’t know someone well can sometimes be tricky. But there are a variety of ways to be referred for a job . A connection at the company you’re applying for might inquire whether you’re interested in exploring new job opportunities. You may have an old connection on LinkedIn that you forgot about.

LinkedIn is a great tool to explore whether you know anyone at the company you are applying to. You can easily see if you know an existing connection or if one of your contacts knows someone at the company currently.

Once you choose someone to provide a referral , be sure to reach out to them before applying for the job. Ask if they are willing to give you a referral for the job. Even if you assume this person will build your credibility with the hiring manager, it’s important to check with them first. You don’t want to bombard someone at the last minute, and you certainly don’t want to tell the hiring manager that a person has vouched for you when they actually haven’t.

To do this, you can send them an email or a letter asking them for a referral. Similar to a reference letter , this will give the person you are asking a chance to look over the requirements and think about how they can best help you. This also gives them an opportunity to opt out of a referral in case they don’t feel comfortable.

The benefits of being referred

Being a candidate who is referred by someone respected in the company is a tremendous benefit for you as a job seeker such as an expedited hiring process or the ability to highlight key skills. Here are some more benefits of being referred.

It can quicken the hiring process. Even if a company doesn’t have a formal employee referral program , the human resources (HR) department typically welcomes referrals. They help to expedite the hiring process and ensure that strong candidates fill open spots on teams.

Allows the interviewer to see you in a different light. When you are referred for a job, it might feel like a lot to live up to. However, if you view it as a step up during your interview process , you will be better suited for your interview. Ultimately, having a candidate referred gives the hiring manager an authentic glimpse into the kind of employee you will be and will help them relate your experience to the position.

A better understanding of the company culture. The person who referred you will likely be asked to provide insights into how you will fit into their company culture . However, there is no need to worry because the person who referred you would not have vouched for you if they didn’t think you were the right fit for this job.

Being able to highlight key skills. Putting this referral in your cover letter will allow you to highlight the key skills you can bring to the position and provide specific examples of why you are the best fit for this job. Cover letters give you another area to share additional details that your resume may not include.

Referral in your cover letter FAQ

Should you mention a referral in a cover letter?

Yes, you should mention a referral in your cover letter. Mentioning a referral in a cover letter helps to emphasize how your skills and abilities align with the job and how you’ve worked with your referral in the past. The best way to do this is to mention specific projects and details how you know the person and how they can vouch for you.

Who should be a referral for a job?

A referral should be someone you know such as an old colleague, former classmate, or someone from your network who works at the company you are applying for. The person who is referring you should be a current employee and someone you trust. They should be able to help highlight your strengths and abilities.

How do you mention a referral in your cover letter?

To mention a referral in your cover letter be sure to mention by name the person who referred you and your relationship to the. This should be a person who is a current employee who can highlight your skills and abilities. Your referral in your cover letter should be kept short and to the point.

Final thoughts

If you come into a company with the right type of referral and a person who can actively vouch for your work ethic, you’ll already place yourself ahead of the competition. Even if you have a vast network and land your dream job, continue to network . Ensure that you always depart work environments on good terms with colleagues and managers. You never know who you will cross paths with later in your career journey: the broader your network, the better chance you will have to name-drop in the future.

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Expert Opinion

How To Mention A Referral In Your Cover Letter

Martha Nicks Career Services Provider

“My colleague XXX recommended that I contact you directly about this position ” is an easy way to name drop your referral in the cover letter. To strengthen the statement, add something about the relationship of the referral to the company.

University of South Florida – Cover Letter Do’s & Don’ts

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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Cover Letter & References Examples

Cover letter & reference examples.

Get started on your cover letter and reference page materials using these examples to apply tips on formatting, structure, and content.

Cover Letter Example

References Example

Who could you ask to be a reference? Professional references include people who can attest to your skills and qualifications. Consider using a current supervisor, past employer, colleague, instructor, coach, or advisor.

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How to Mention a Referral in Your Cover Letter

What Is a Referral Cover Letter?

The benefits of being referred, who to ask for a referral, how to mention a referral, tips for writing a referral cover letter, referral cover letter sample.

• More Cover Letter Examples

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If you know someone at a company or someone with a strong connection to a company, it can be helpful to mention them in your cover letter when you apply for a job. Having a referral can help you stand out from the crowd when you're job searching, and including the referral in your cover letter can help get your application noticed by the hiring manager.

Mentioning that you're referred by someone is like getting an employment reference in advance. Hiring managers and recruiters will likely take a closer look at candidates with whom they share a mutual contact, and for good reason: Studies have shown hiring through employee referrals results in faster, cheaper, more effective hiring than relying on job sites.

Applicants with a referral are four times more likely to be offered a job than candidates without one. Referral hires also tend to get up to speed more quickly, fit in better, and stay with the company longer. Referrals can also give the hiring manager additional context on a candidate and their work background.

Mentioning your referral and shared connection in your cover letter can make the difference in helping your application get noticed by prospective employers.

Here's how to write a referral cover letter, including the best way to mention the contact who is referring you and a sample letter with a template to download.

A referral cover letter mentions a mutual connection when applying for a job. You might be referred by a colleague, friend, employee at the company you’re interested in, client or vendor, or college career office.

Referred candidates are a leading source of new hires, and many employers actively seek referrals when hiring for open positions. Even if a company doesn't have a formal employee referral program , referrals are typically welcomed as a way to expedite the hiring process and secure strong candidates for available jobs.

Having a referral name to mention in your cover letter helps the hiring manager understand the shared connection you have with them or their employer. A referral also helps relate your experience to the open position and, depending on how you know the referring party, can provide some insight into how well you might fit in at the company.

Your cover letter also provides an opportunity to briefly highlight your education, skills, and qualifications for the job. In addition to mentioning your referral, you'll have the chance to add a few specific examples of why you are the best candidate for the position and share other details not included on your resume.

There are many different ways to be referred for a job. A connection at a company may inquire into whether you have an interest in exploring new opportunities. You may find that you're connected with an employee on LinkedIn. Before you apply for a job, take a look to see who you know at the organization.

The referral doesn't have to be a business connection. You can ask anyone you know at the company or who has a contact at the company if they would recommend you for a job.

Be sure to check with the individual in advance and ask if they are willing to give you a referral . Even if you’re certain they’d vouch for you, giving a potential referral the heads-up ensures they’ll be ready and able to offer the best possible recommendation, given the job requirements.

You can send a letter or email asking for a referral , which gives the person the time and opportunity to think through what they can do for you and how to proceed. Asking in writing also gives your connection an out if they aren't comfortable referring you.

• Mention who is referring you. When you use a referral in your cover letter, mention them in the first paragraph. Include the individual by name and describe your connection with them as well.
• Explain how you know the person. Give a brief account of how you know the person, and explain how they came to be familiar with your work qualifications and skills.
• Describe why they are recommending you. If the person recommended that you apply for this particular position, take the opportunity to mention why they are endorsing you. What specific qualities of yours made them think you would be a good fit for the company and the job? What do you have to offer the company?

Here's an example of an introductory paragraph mentioning the candidate has been referred by a colleague:

My colleague Amy Smith recommended that I contact you directly about the sales representative position at ABC, Inc. Amy and I have worked closely in the industry for many years, and she thought the company would be a good fit for my style and experience in sales. She pointed out that as a successful, award-winning salesperson, I would be an excellent addition to the team at ABC, Inc.

Name-dropping does not come easily to some people, especially if you're already wrestling with how to write about your accomplishments and sell yourself to a hiring manager. Even though it might be a challenge, being referred for a job can give you a boost over the competition. At the least, it should help you get considered for an interview. At best, it could give you a foot in the door that might lead to a job offer.

Review examples. If you're not sure what to write, it helps to look at examples of cover letters , although you'll want to tailor your letter to fit your specific personal and professional circumstances.

Mention the referral upfront. Remember to include a brief mention of your referral and recommendation right away in your cover letter. This strategy puts the referral at the front of the reader's mind, giving them context for the information that follows.

Make the best first impression. Expand on your strengths and why you're the best candidate for the job. Your cover letter offers a chance to make a strong first impression since it's likely the first thing a hiring manager sees, possibly even before your resume.

Share your accomplishments. Mention brief examples of your successes in the workplace to prove you are the most qualified person for the job.

Carefully proofread your letter. As with all business correspondence, make sure you proofread your cover letter for correct spelling and grammar, and check that the information matches across all the documents you submit. 

This is an example of a cover letter that mentions a referral. Download the referral cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).

Referral Cover Letter Sample (Text Version)

Betty Forbes 999 Main Street Anytown, MA 02222 555-123-4567 bforbes1223@email.com

February 28, 2024

George Smith Marketing Director Acme Communications 1234 Fragrant Way Citytown, MA 02224

Dear Mr. Smith,

It was with great interest that I learned of the opening in your department for a marketing associate. Your marketing manager, Anna Black, was my supervisor at Catz Marketing before taking her current position with Acme Communications. As she can attest, I bring a unique perspective and can integrate the many facets of a media campaign.

With Anna at Catz Marketing, I worked with a local company to build their business and promote their grand opening. We continued to work with them for the first few years, developing a total media plan and implementing it. Their continued success and recommendations brought other businesses to seek our services as well.

My experience with Catz Marketing has prepared me to take on the challenges of working in a national company such as Acme Communications, and I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I can be an asset to your team.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Betty Forbes

More Cover Letter Examples 

Need more inspiration for writing your cover letters? Review these  cover letter samples and downloadable templates  for many different types of jobs to get started.

Key Takeaways

• A cover letter with a referral can help get your application considered.
• Before naming someone as a referral in your cover letter, ask them for permission to do so.
• Include the referral in the first paragraph of your cover letter.
• Also include specifics on why you're a leading contender for the job.

LinkedIn. " Here is Why Employee Referrals are the Best Way to Hire ."

Zippia. " Facts About Employee Referrals in the US ."

Jobvite. " 4 Reasons to Invest in Employee Referrals ."

CareerOneStop. " Make Your Next Cover Letter a Great One ."

SHRM. " Employee Referrals Remain Top Source for Hires ."

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11+ Best Cover Letter Reference Samples [Ready]

Your cover letter is an opportunity to sell yourself to the hiring manager, and to share why you’re well qualified for the job. Even if you are submitting your resume online or through email, you should include a cover letter. The 19+ Best Cover Letter Reference Samples [Ready] will help you get started. The samples below are donated from a variety of sources and have been formatted for printing. If you are using a cover letter template, be sure to remove any references to the template that might be included in the sample before you send it to a potential employer.

In addition, be sure to customize each cover letter for the specific job you are applying for. Finally, proofread your cover letter carefully before sending it off. A well-written cover letter can make the difference between getting an interview and being passed over for another candidate. Follow these tips, and refer to the 19+ Best Cover Letter Reference Samples. when crafting your own cover letter, and you’re sure to impress potential employers.

How To Write a Cover Letter Reference?

Many job postings require that you include a cover letter along with your resume and references. A cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you are the best candidate for the position. Your references are individuals who can attest to your skills, experience, and character. When choosing your references, be sure to choose people who will speak highly of you and who are familiar with your work.

When including your references on your cover letter, be sure to list their name, title, company, phone number, and email address. It is also a good idea to mention how you know each other. For example, you might say, “I had the pleasure of working with Jane Smith at XYZ Company.” By taking the time to craft a well-written cover letter with quality references, you will increase your chances of getting called for an interview.

Related: How To Write a Cover Letter (And Get Hired in 2022!)

Cover Letter With Referral From Mutual Acquaintance

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to apply for the open position of ___________. I was made aware of this opportunity through a mutual acquaintance, ___________, who highly recommended that I get in touch with you.

Based on what ___________ has told me, as well as my own research, I strongly believe that I would be a valuable asset to your team. Have _____ years of experience in ___________, and my skills in ___________ are particularly well-developed. I am confident that I can make significant contributions to your organization and would be a valuable asset on any project.

Would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you further. Please do not hesitate to contact me at ___________ to schedule an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: Architecture Cover Letter: 09 Examples ideas

Cover Letter With Referral From Employee

I am writing to recommend Ms. Jane Doe for the position of Marketing Manager at your company. I have had the pleasure of working with Jane for the past three years, and can attest to her superb marketing skills.

Jane is an expert in all facets of marketing, from strategy and planning to execution and analysis. She has a keen ability to identify opportunities and develop creative solutions to maximize results. Jane is a true team player and is always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

I am confident that Jane would be a valuable asset to your team. She has my highest recommendation, and I am happy to provide additional details upon request.

Related: 05+ Best Dietitian Cover Letter Samples & Examples

Referral Cover Letter Examples

The writing to you in regards to the open position for a referral cover letter. I believe that I would be the perfect candidate for this position and would like to put my name forward.

Have enclosed my resume with this letter for your review and would appreciate if you could keep me in mind for this role. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications that you are looking for and would be a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

(Your name)

Related: Customer Service Cover Letter: 17 Examples & Templates Included

Cover Letter Mention Referral

I am writing in regards to the opening at your company for a _____ position. I was made aware of this opportunity by _____, who is a current employee of your company and a close friend of mine.

_____ has nothing but great things to say about working at your company.

And they believe that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications that you are looking for, and I would be honored to put those skills to use at your company.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Related: 07 Professional MBA Cover Letter Samples [Free]

5 Things To Include In a Cover Letter Reference

In order to make a great impression with potential employers, it is important to have a well-written cover letter. A cover letter should be concise and include relevant information about your qualifications and experience. In addition.

Acover letter should also include a reference from a past employer or someone who can vouch for your character and work ethic. Including a reference in your cover letter shows that you are reliable and trustworthy. Below are some examples of references that you can use in your next cover letter.

• “John Doe was an excellent employee during his time at XYZ Company. He was always willing to go above and beyond to get the job done.” – Bob Smith, Former Manager at XYZ Company
• “Jane Doe is one of the most hardworking and dedicated employees I have ever worked with. She always goes the extra mile to ensure that her work is of the highest quality.” – Sarah Jones, Director of Marketing at XYZ Company
• “I have known Joe Smith for many years and can say without a doubt that he is a honest and trustworthy person. He would be an excellent addition to any team.” – John Adams, Retired CEO of XYZ Company
• “Mary Jane is an extremely talented individual with a tremendous work ethic. She would be a valuable asset to any company.” – Bill Johnson, Head of Human Resources at XYZ Company
• “I had the pleasure of working with Tom Cruise on the set of the latest Mission Impossible movie. He was not only a professional but also a great team player.” – Steven Spielberg, Director

By including one or more of the above references in your next cover letter. You are sure to make a positive impression on potential employers!

Related: What is Cover Letter? Complete Guide To Get any Job.

A cover letter is a professional document that helps you introduce yourself to potential employers. Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific position you are applying for and include examples from your past experience that show off your skills and abilities. One important element of a strong cover letter is a reference. A reference is someone who can speak to your character and qualifications.

And having a few solid references can make all the difference in whether or not you get an interview.

When asking someone to be a reference. It is important to give them all the information they will need to write a strong letter on your behalf.

This includes your resume, the job listing, and any other relevant information. Once you have provided your references with this information. They will be able to write a more informative and helpful letter.

Including a few strong references in your cover letter can help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting an interview.

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Resume, Cover Letter, and References Guide

Professional documents such as a resume or cover letter are how employers understand your skills, abilities, experiences, and strengths. These documents express your qualifications and interest in the position you are seeking and can potentially lead to an interviewing opportunity.

The Career Center is available to help you learn how to construct a resume and cover letter and offer advice for making improvements and updates.

Resume Writing

The suggestions that follow are based on several years of experience with the recruiting process and employer feedback.  Most rules for a good resume are not set in stone, but strong guidelines. There is no one “right” way to write a resume.  Employers have different opinions on what they prefer; therefore, it is important for your resume to best highlight your skills and interests.

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Overall Appearance 

Formatting .

Resumes tend to be very conservative in format with the primary goal being readability.

In some fields, such as advertising, marketing, and fine arts, creativity is more acceptable and often expected.

Creativity should not deter from the overall content and flow of a resume.

We suggest that you never use templates provided by Word or any other source. Templates limit formatting choices and the amount of content on your resume. In addition, many employers ignore resumes when they have seen the same template multiple times.

Tabs and Bullets

Bulleted action statements are not complete sentences, so periods are not needed. If you do choose to use them, however, be consistent and use them throughout the document.

When creating bullet points, use the bulleting functions in Word rather than a bullet point symbol and spaces.

Length 

If possible, one-page resume for undergraduates and recent grads is recommended.

Margins should be between .5 and 1 inch (often this makes the difference between a one and two-page resumes)

One font and one color should be used throughout the document.

Font size between 10-12 point (font size will vary depending on the font you choose, the same applies to the size of your margins).

Differentiate section headers, selectively use different types of highlighting text.

Serif fonts are easier to read than sans-serif fonts. Google those font styles if you are not familiar with these font styles. Times New Roman has been popular, but doesn’t allow the letters to blend together in some cases. 

Popular fonts:

• Times New Roman
• Georgia 
• Bookman Old Style

Grammar, spelling, typos 

No grammatical or spelling errors

No personal pronouns should be used (I, me, my etc.)

Unless necessary, avoid definite and indefinite articles such as, a, an, the, in descriptions

All information is delivered in bulleted action-word statements 

Elements of a Resume 

Contact information.

Your name as you want to be referred to professionally (Jon Baker, Jonathan Baker, Jon E. Baker) and formatted to stand out appropriately using larger font, bold, etc.

Current address and home/permanent address (if looking for employment in that area)

Phone number with area code, cell phone is best. Voicemail should be set up so that your name is stated to indicate to employers that they have the right phone number.

Email address (professional addresses only)

LinkedIn profile link if your account is up-to-date (optional)

First Name Last Name, PhD

1324 W. Wisconsin Ave | Milwaukee, WI 53233 [email protected] | (414) 288-7423 

Objective or summary of qualifications

Objective .

A clear objective helps focus on select information. Although you may wish to make your objective broad, do not make it so broad that it says nothing. If you are pursuing employment in more than one field, simply create different objectives for each field and job application.  There should only be one objective per resume. Also, remember to omit personal pronouns like I, me, and my.

Your career objective should answer the question, “What do I want to do?” Is it for graduate school, a part-time job, an internship, a professional position after graduation, a scholarship? Make sure your objective is clear.

Seeking a summer internship in a communications related field to utilize skills in organization, public speaking, and media communication.

Summary of Qualifications

Another option, instead of having an objective, is to have a “summary of qualifications”.

A Summary of Qualifications should summarize your resume and accomplishments much like an introduction might summarize a book. You could also think of this as a "tagline" for yourself and the rest of the resume will have the supporting information for your "advertisement". You can use this space to match your accomplishments to the qualifications of the job to which you are applying.

These should be written in the third person, not using "I" or "me" throughout, and should provide the top items that set you apart as a candidate. Think of the top three or four things that highlight you as a candidate and differentiate you from the other candidates in the pool.

If you speak other languages, you could highlight it here. Additionally, if you are from abroad, your work-authorization status may be mentioned in order to reduce confusion with prospective employers.

Personable and motivated entry-level marketing professional with experience in both non-profit and for-profit environments. Skilled in marketing plan design and implementation. Efficient presentation and communication skills acquired through student leadership positions. 

• Two years of internship experience within a Fortune-500 company
• Proven leadership experience with a student organization
• Fluency in Spanish 

Education 

For each degree-conferring institution beyond high school:

• Name of educational institution or specialized training program
• Location (city, state) of each institution
• Degree or certification obtained
• Major/minor/area of concentration or emphasis
• Actual or anticipated graduated date (month and year)

Additional/Optional items to include:

• GPA/Major GPA (if proud of it, usually > 3.0) Include all decimal points with the scale. If you include Major GPA then you should also include your cumulative GPA.
• Certifications and/or licenses related to career goal
• Relevant coursework, projects, and/or thesis

Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, May 20xx

GPA: 3.207/4.0

High School Information

If you are a first year or sophomore student, having high school information is acceptable on your resume. Once you have enough experiences during your college years, we recommend all high school information be removed.

Transfer Students 

Do not list schools from which you did not receive a degree.

This part of your resume may include several sections such as:

Career Related, Related (or) Relevant Experience, Work Experience, Additional Work Experience, Internship Experience, Volunteer Experience, Campus Involvement, Service, Leadership, Activities

Career Related or Related or Relevant Experience : really any area in which you may have significant experience and is related to your career goal, even remotely.

Additional Work Experience : use this to list jobs you have had to show consistency, longevity, or just simply that you know how to work. Sometimes this section does not include bulleted action word statements because what you are doing may be obvious such as Bartender.

Briefly describe for each position:

• Job title, organization name, city, state, date (month and year)
• List your responsibilities for each position using bulleted action statements to describe situations and achievements (see Writing Bulleted Action Statements )

Office and Employer Relations Assistant MU Career Center Milwaukee, WI August 20xx- May 20xx

• Greeted and assisted all clients, students and visitors of the Career Center
• Provided administrative support to all functions of the Career Center

List your most recent experiences first, and your oldest experiences last. If your most career-related experience was a year ago or more and is listed towards the bottom of your resume create a new section to highlight that experience. The section can be titled many things such as career-related experience, related experience, relevant experience or any title which groups your most significant experiences related to the position together.

Optional Elements 

Coursework .

Courses you took related to the position you are applying for can be included on your resume. List the title of the course (course numbers are not necessary). Include the semester and year taken.

Computer Literacy in Business (Spring 20xx), Media Writing (Spring 20xx), Public Relations Principles (Fall 20xx), Media Law (Fall 20xx), Ethical Problems of Mass Communications (Fall 20xx)

Class projects

If you have little experience related to your career objective, think about class projects that demonstrate your skills.  List these just like a position with the name of the project, name of the class, Marquette University, and semester (Fall 20XX).  Then list the objectives, tasks and accomplishments of the project just like you would list bulleted action statements under each position.

General Psychology Course, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

“Be Well Marquette” Class Project, Spring 20xx

• Collaborated with student project team to identify and implement one wellness initiative to offer to incoming freshman students
• Coordinated event planning and marketing for event with attendance of over 100 students

Honors, activities, leadership, or special skills 

Front load these with those most important or most pertinent to your objective (career goal).  You may want to use specific headings such as professional organizations, computer skills, and leadership positions. Include any honors, scholarships or recognition awards you have received. If you were actively involved in any clubs, teams or committees while in college, those may be included also. If you want to include more details about these activities, use the guidelines from the Experience section and make it a complete section.

Interests 

The trend is to keep away from any extraneous information that does not clearly connect to your career goal. However, if you are applying for a position in which you have experience through a hobby or leisure activity, you may want to consider adding it to your resume.

For example, if you are applying for a forest ranger position and you enjoy hiking in the wilderness, include it by stating: Skilled in all-terrain hiking, camping and navigating. What you need to ask yourself is, “Will this information help the potential employer learn more about how well I can do the job?” If your answer is yes, then be sure to include the information.

Technology/ computer / language skills 

More employers are asking about these skills, and many assume college students today are very tech-savvy. Many of you do not have industry-specific tech skills, but if you do, then those need to be highlighted. It may be that you do not have space for a separate "technology" section, in which case a "Computer skills include ..." line could be added to your profile, or you could address the skills in the description of the job in which you used them. You do not need to list Microsoft Office programs or other commonly used applications. You should include your level of proficiency for each skill, such as Advanced or Intermediate.

Writing Bulleted Action Statements 

What are bulleted action statements.

Bulleted action statements are concise phrases describing your skills, accomplishments, or attributes related to your work experiences. These phrases begin with action words . The bullet point in front of these concise statements serve as visual landmarks to aid the reader in navigating the document quickly. 

Steps to Write a Bulleted Action Statement: 

Choose an  action word Action words are written in present tense for current experiences and past tense for experiences which have ended Example: “Established" 

Identify and describe skills, attributes, duties and/or accomplishments  from your experiences 

 Be specific, concise, and quantify if possible (to help you be specific, consider the following questions: how many, how often, what type, where, with/for who, how much)

• Put it all together Example: Established professional relationships with over 20 customers monthly through friendly and efficient written communication resulting in a 20% increase of sales from 20xx to 20xx

Action Statement Writing Tips: 

• Statements should not be paragraphs. They should be to the point including information specifically related to the role of application.
• Quantifying your work helps you to be specific. The reader should be able to picture what you were doing by reading the statements.
• Review the transferable skills necessary for the position. These may be listed in the job description or  need to determine them on your own.
• Statements should be focused on your accomplishments and responsibilities not only on duties. The statements should relate to what you did specifically.  They should not describe what any person would do in the role.

Action Words 

Transferrable skills , planning and organizational skills.

• Meet deadlines and manage time effectively
• Work under time and environmental pressures
• Successfully juggle multiple demands (school and work)
• Identify and prioritize things to be accomplished
• Assess needs
• Develop goals for self and/or an organization
• Work effectively with organization members
• Follow up with other to evaluate progress of tasks
• Stick to a different endeavor and see it through to completion (4 years of college)

Critical Thinking Skills

• Quickly and accurately identify the key issues when making a decision or solving a problem
• Identify general principles that explain data or human behavior
• Examine assumptions underlying analyses or conclusions
• Recognize interrelationships in information obtained from diverse sources
• User facts to judge validity of theories
• Create innovative solutions to complex problems
• Critically evaluate theories and research and apply the results to solve problems

Human Resources and Interpersonal Skills

• Maintain group cooperation and support
• Keep a group on track when working towards a goal
• Interact and work effectively with peers, superiors and subordinates
• Interact with and appreciate people from diverse cultural, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds
• Communicate effectively and sensitively in both individual and group situations
• Teach a skill, concept or principle to others
• Demonstrate effective social behavior in a variety of settings and circumstances
• Effectively collaborate with other n complete projects or reach goals
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to work on a team on diverse assignments

Oral and Written Communication Skills

• Organize and present ideas effectively for formal and spontaneous speeches
• Effectively participate in group discussions and brainstorm ideas
• Debate issues while respecting the opinions of others
• Read and condense large amounts of material
• Write reports clearly, grammatically, concisely, objectively, convincingly and in appropriate format
• Write and speak effectively in a foreign language
• Delivered verbal presentations clearly and persuasively
• Express and defend ideas in a clear, objective, non-dogmatic manner
• Effectively utilize campus resources for public relations
• Use various media to present ideas effectively and/or imaginatively
• Possess courteous telephone skills

Research and Investigation Skills

• Use a variety of sources of information to research problems or answers to questions
• Conduct literature searches on ________________________
• Develop a new research question(s)
• Apply a variety of research methods to test the validity of data
• Design and experiment, plan or model that systematically defines a problem
• Construct, administer and interpret questionnaires or surveys
• Ethically recruit and treat research subjects
• Select appropriate statistical tests for the analysis of research
• Analyze and interpret statistical data.
• Interpret qualitative and quantitative data
• Use computers or laboratory equipment to assist with research
• Select, administer, score, and interpret various psychological tests or assessments
• Deal effectively with financial, temporal, and personnel constraints on research

Computer Skills

• Use computer software to prepare reports, graphs, brochures, etc. and to conduct research
• Internet research and e-mail skills
• Computer programming skills
• Webpage and website design skills

Personal Skills

• Define and explain ethical behavior and practice it in difficult situations
• Take initiative in job related duties
• Tolerance for stress and ambiguity
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to handle change
• Recognize the value of lifelong learning and seeks professional development opportunities
• Identify personal values and apply them when making decisions
• Ability & motivation to develop knowledge and skills in expanding job responsibilities

Creative Skills

• Create images for marketing campaign
• Produce artwork for gallery display
• Use intuition to develop a new idea
• Invent an original product useful to the public
• Mentally synthesize information gathered from research literature
• Design visual media to easily convey message

Leadership/Management Skills

• Align team members around organizational values
• Persuade others based on personal or logical information
• Motivate team members during busy or stressful times of work
• Work to understand the needs and wishes of others to benefit the organizational goals

Sample 1 - EXAMPLE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

Header section, objective section.

Obtain a Resident Assistant position at Marquette University

Education Section 

EDUCATION 

Marquette University  - Milwaukee, WI                                                        May 20xx Bachelor of Arts                                                                                     GPA: 3.87/4.00 Major: Undecided

             Awards and Scholarships: Dean’s List (Fall 20xx), Marquette Ignatius/ Magis Scholarship

Relevant Experience Section 

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 

Resident Hall Association, Marquette University - Milwaukee, WI        Sep. 20xx– Present Abbotsford Floor 3 East Representative

• Take initiative to inquire about floor residents’ needs and concerns to improve dorm experience
• Build rapport with residents and Abbotsford staff through positive attitude and enthusiasm
• Collaborate with group to build open, safe environment of all residents
• Organize monthly hall events with team of 10 people to help establish sense of community

Work Experience Section

WORK EXPERIENCE 

Brew Café, Marquette University - Milwaukee, WI                               Sep. 20xx– Present  Barista and Cashier

• Develop exceptional communication skills while interacting with diverse students, faculty, and community members
• Demonstrate responsibility and reliability through never missing a shift and arriving to work early
• Multitask and work efficiently while dealing with multiple orders

Rhee Household  - Oak Creek, WI                                                      Jan. 20xx –Aug. 20xx  Babysitter

• Exhibited excellent work ethic by following all instructions regarding care of 2 children
• Combined skills of patience and creativity to create fun, engaging activities 

Involvement Section 

INVOLVEMENT

Midnight Run, Marquette University -  Milwaukee, WI                           Sep. 20xx– Present Volunteer

• Integrate sense of service and compassion through dedicating time to assist hungry Milwaukee community members

Big Brothers and Big Sisters , Marquette University -  Milwaukee, WI  Sep. 20xx– Present  Big Brother

• Mentor 10-year-old Milwaukee child and act as positive role model

Sample 2 - EXAMPLE WITH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE 

First Name Last Name

1324 W. Wisconsin Avenue | Milwaukee, WI 53233 | 414-288-7423 | [email protected] 

Entry level corporate communications role with a focus on writing, editing and social media 

Education Section

Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Bachelor of Arts in Writing Intensive English , Expected May 20xx Minor in Corporate Communication Cumulative GPA: 3.525/4.0      Major GPA: 3.746/4.0        Ignatius Scholarship for Academic Excellence

Santa Clara University - Casa de la Solidaridad, San Salvador, El Salvador , Summer 20xx 

• Developed conversational Spanish language skills

Related Experience Section 

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Assurant Health, Milwaukee, WI Human Resources/Communications Intern , Jan. 20xx – Present

• Write and proofread news stories and product briefs for internal corporate communication
• Help plan and execute community and employee engagement events for up to 100 attendees
• Support human resources development programs and new employee orientation
• Assist with video production and editing using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 

Ott Writing Center – Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Peer Tutor , Jan. 20xx – Dec. 20xx

• Created and published content to promote Ott Writing Center on Twitter and Facebook
• Partnered with undergraduate students to edit and improve written documents
• Spoke to classrooms on campus to promote services to fellow students

Office of Advancement – Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Phonathon Student Fundraiser , Aug. 20xx – Dec. 20xx 

• Built rapport with alumni in order to raise over $6,000 for academic and athletic scholarships

Leadership Experience Section

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Orientation Staff – Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Team Leader , March 20xx – Aug. 20xx 

• Initiated and developed open communication with students and family members about Marquette
• Facilitated small group discussions regarding college life with 12 first-year Marquette students 

Activities Section

Sigma Tau Delta, Member (English Honor Society), Aug. 20xx – Present

Public Relations Student Society of America, Member, Aug. 20xx – Present

Marquette Tribune, News Reporter, Jan. 20xx – May 20xx 

Volunteer Experience Section

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Community Day of Service, Volunteer, Annually 20xx  – Present 

Sample 3 - EXAMPLE WITH SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS 

Header section .

1324 W. Wisconsin Ave. | Milwaukee, WI 53233 | 414-288-7423 | [email protected] 

Summary of Qualifications Section 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to juggle multiple demands in stressful atmosphere
• Passion for learning and growing in dynamic healthcare environment
• Experience with diverse populations and cultures
• Proficient in use of EPIC Medical Records

Related Experience Section 

SAINT JOHN’S ON THE LAKE NURSING HOME, Milwaukee, WI    September 20xx-Present

Certified Nursing Assistant

• Provide behavioral and emotional support, companionship and supervision for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Assist patients with activities of daily living while closely following proper infection control procedures
• Deliver feeding and mobility assistance to patients

LUKE’S HOSPITAL, Milwaukee, WI                                                   Summer 20xx

Cardiac Telemetry Unit Nurse Intern

• Planned and provided nursing care to patients under the supervision of a registered nurse
• Conducted medical screenings and offered health recommendations to patients
• Obtained and recorded patient’s vital signs, intake and output and blood glucose

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY, Milwaukee, WI                                        May 20xx  

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing                                    GPA: 3.435/4.0  Minor: Women and Gender Studies

Clinical Experience Section

STUDENT CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Childbearing Family Nursing ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL                                                               April 20xx

Nursing of Communities                         CITY OF MILWAUKEE HEALTH DEPARTMENT                            March 20xx

Nursing Care of Adults   ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER                                                     February 20xx

Family Centered Nursing of Children     CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN                                     October 20xx

Nursing Care of Acutely Ill Adults   FROEDTERT HOSPITAL                                                                 September 20xx

• Collaborated as member of a health care team to plan and provide quality care for patients
• Worked in a critical care unit with respirators, IVs and sterile environment
• Conducted head to toe assessments of patients
• Assessed and monitored patient status and provided personal care
• Evaluated patient knowledge and provided education as needed
• Interacted with patients and families to promote supportive environment

Additional Experience 

Desk Receptionist MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY MCCORMICK HALL, Milwaukee, WI      Spring 20xx-Present

Receptionist GUNDERSON MEDICAL CLINIC, Madison, WI                                    Summer 20xx

Professional Affiliations and Additional Skills 

MU National Student Nurse Association, Treasurer  Wisconsin Nurses Association, Member Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing Honor Society), Member  CPR/AED Certified through American Heart Association 

Sample 4 - EXAMPLE WITH AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 

Objective section .

Seeking admission into a Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences

Strengths Section 

• Proficient in written and verbal Spanish
• Hands-on healthcare experience working as a Medical Scribe
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and in a team

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY, Milwaukee, WI                                           May 20xx  Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences

Awards and Scholarships: Dean's List (Spring 20xx, Fall 20xx) Biomedical Sciences Department Scholarship  Marquette Ignatius/Magis Scholarship  Hoyt Scholarship 

Relevant Experience Section  

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

PHYSASSIST SCRIBES INC, Milwaukee, WI                      October 20xx-Present  Medical Scribe

• Assist Physicians and Physician Assistants in emergency room to maintain efficient workflow
• Record patient history, chief complaints and diagnostic test result
• Order x-rays and prepare plans for follow-up care using EPIC electronic medical record systems

AURORA MEDICAL CENTER,  Milwaukee, WI                      August 20xx-Present  Volunteer

• Utilize personal communication skills while interacting with patients and families to promote a supportive environment
• Transport patients, respond to visitor inquiries and distribute deliveries to hospital rooms
• Assist and manage cleaning and organization of several waiting rooms

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY,  Milwaukee, WI                                           Fall 20xx Research Assistant

• Developed test to quantify biofilm formation of urinary tract infection-causing E. coli
• Compiled and analyzed databases of biofilm research
• Designed and presented academic and experimental results to audiences of 40-50 people  

Activities Section 

KAPPA DELTA SORORITY, Marquette University Vice President of Philanthropy                                          Spring 20xx-Present

• Lead and organize philanthropic events to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America

SPECIAL OLYMPICS WISCONSIN,  Milwaukee, WI Volunteer                                                                              Spring 20xx-Present 

• Coach and mentor 10-20 Special Olympics athletes in basketball and track and field  

Sample 5 - EXAMPLE WITH RELATED EXPERIENCE

1324 W. Wisconsin Ave - Milwaukee, WI 53233 - 414.288.7423 - [email protected] 

OBJECTIVE 

Seeking a summer internship in a communications related field to utilize and develop personal skills in organization, public speaking and media communication

EDUCATION  MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY, Milwaukee WI  Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies                          May 20xx Minor:  Business Administration

Relevant Coursework : Computer Literacy in Business (Spring 20xx), Media Writing (Spring 20xx), Public Relations Principles (Fall 20xx), Media Law (Fall 20xx), Ethical Problems of Mass Communications (Fall 20xx), Writing for the Marketplace (Spring 20xx) 

M MAGAZINE, Milwaukee, WI Advertising and Design Intern                                                           Spring 20xx

• Collaborated with graphic artists to create effective web advertisements
• Assisted in publication of the “Best Doctors 2015” list for local Milwaukee doctors
• Participated in design development sessions with clients

MARQUETTE WIRE, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Production Associate                                                                            Fall 20xx

• Performed variety of technical and support services through printing and product operations
• Inspected printing equipment and wrote monthly reports on inventory
• Produced high quality posters, prints and banners

ASSURANT HEALTH, Milwaukee, WI Communications Intern                                                                  Summer 20xx

• Wrote and proofread news stories and product briefs for internal corporate communication
• Published content to promote Assurant Health on social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) 

ABBOTSFORD HALL COUNCIL, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI Floor Representative                                                          Fall 20xx-Spring 20xx

• Attended weekly meetings to discuss residence hall’s climate and environment and sought out opportunities for improvement

Computer Skills Section  

COMPUTER SKILLS

Advanced knowledge of Adobe Illustrator Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign

Sample 6 - EXAMPLE WITH RELEVANT COURSEWORK 

• Customer Service: Six years of experience in tactfully handling customer concerns
• Quick thinker and detail-oriented
• Analytical: Solid analytical and problem-solving skills
• Research and investigation skills: Able to make effective use of all available resources

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology , Minor in French                                   May 20xx Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI                                                  GPA 3.632/4.0

Universite Catholiqué De Lyon, France                                  September-June 20xx

• Utilized fluent written and verbal French while living in a family setting
• Learned to see the world from a different cultural perspective  

Relevant Coursework Section

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Organizational Behavior (Spring 20xx) , Industrial Psychology (Fall 20xx), Social Psychology (Fall 20xx) 

Management Experience Section 

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Student Manager Sodexho—Marriott Food Services, Milwaukee, WI               September 20xx-Present

• Serve customers and supervise five to ten students in each shift, giving feedback regularly
• Hire and train new student employees
• Develop new training procedures that were adopted by the corporate training facility  

President Cobeen Hall Council, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI  September 20xx-May20xx

• Enhanced leadership skills to maintain group cooperation and support
• Planned, organized and delegated tasks related to fundraising and special events in Cobeen Hall
• Honed critical thinking skills to accurately identify key issues when making decisions related to council business 

Additional Experience Section 

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales Associate Leader New York, Inc., Rochester, NY                   Summers & Holidays 20xx-Present

• Service all facets of store sales, specializing in friendly customer relations and bringing in repeat clients
• Organize display setups and promotions

Student Ambassador Admissions Office, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI    September 20xx-May 20xx 

• Tailored tours to meet information needs of prospective students and parents

Volunteer, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Milwaukee, WI         May 20xx-September 20xx Volunteer Tutor, Indo-Chinese Learning                            December 20xx-May 20xx

Sample 7 - EXAMPLE WITH CLASS PROJECTS 

First Name Last Name 1324 West Wisconsin Avenue | Milwaukee, WI  53233 | 414-288-7423 | [email protected]

Seeking Full-Time Manufacturing Engineering position at Briggs & Stratton

Technical Skills Section 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering | MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | Milwaukee, WI | May 20xx

Engineering Experience Section

ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE

Mechanical Engineer | PENTAIR CO-OP | Milwaukee, WI | September 20xx-August 20xx 

• Modeled, prototyped, and tested new designs for product development of agricultural pumps to efficiently control levels of water
• Modified designs to improve efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs
• Supported implementation process of innovative pump through marketing research and product launch  

Relevant Class Projects 

RELEVANT CLASS PROJECTS

Drafting Project | ENGINEERING DISCOVERY | Marquette University | Spring 20xx

• Collaborated with team to sketch complex designs for portable generators using UGS NX6 graphics software
• Constructed 3D prototype to scale using 3D printer and drafting software

Final Design Project | ENGINEERING DISCOVERY | Marquette University | Fall 20xx

• Analyzed portable generators to identify major technical flaws
• Assembled prototype and gave formal PowerPoint presentation on finished project detailing data and techniques used  

WORK EXPERIENCE

Marketing Design Assistant | ALUMNI MEMORIAL UNION | Milwaukee, WI | October 20xx-April 20xx

• Designed effective promotions to inform student body of upcoming events and products using techniques in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to enhance appeal of campaigns

Campus Involvement Section

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT

Engineers Without Borders , Member | MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | Fall 20xx-Present

• Boost campus awareness of organization’s mission through fundraising for civil engineering projects in Guatemala and Honduras

Hackathon | MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | Fall 20xx-Present

• Solve design flaw issues with in-home assistive technologies to improve life and safety of elderly community
• Attend 12-hour event to showcase improvements and gave demonstrations of improved product

American Society of Mechanical Engineers , Member | MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | Spring 20xx-Present

• Compete in annual Student Professional Development conference Student Design Competition to build relationships with local professionals and emerging engineering students

Sample 8 - EXAMPLE WITH STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

Permanent Address:  2808 N. 79 th Street • Des Plaines, IL 60016 • (414) 323-1237 • [email protected]  Current Address:  1317 W. Kilbourn Ave. Apt. B •  Milwaukee, WI 53201 • www.linkedin.com/firstnamelastname

Marquette University,  Milwaukee, WI                                                     June 20xx  Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education & Biology Cumulative GPA: 3.60/4.00        Ignatius Scholarship for Academic Excellence  Licenses: WI Certification (s)

Student Teaching Experience Section 

STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Student Teacher-First Grade, Lincoln Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI  Jan. 20xx-Present 

• Analyze student achievement data to determine appropriate interventions and enrichments for students by need
• Teach unit blending art and space science to develop student-created books about the Sun, Moon and Earth
• Implement Daily 5 model of literacy instruction emphasizing explicit comprehension instruction & guided reading
• Use high-interest children’s literature as mentor texts for social studies, science and reading concepts
• Collaborate with special education teacher to differentiate behavior supports for two students with severe ADHD
• Communicate in-person and via email with parents about the academic progress and behavior of 27 students
• Attend Home & School Association meetings to build relationships with families & learn about school community
• Integrate Smart Board technology into all academic areas  

Student Observation Experience Section 

STUDENT OBSERVATION EXPERIENCE

Field Experience-Fifth Grade, Catholic East Elementary School, Milwaukee, WI     Fall 20xx

Field Experience-Eighth Grade, Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI   Spring 20xx  

Field Experience-Fourth Grade, Escuela Vieau School, Milwaukee, WI     Fall 20xx

• Created group-focused social studies unit about traditional modern Native American culture
• Incorporated students who had behavioral and learning disabilities into lessons by differentiating activities in lessons and providing additional assistance during these activities
• Compared and observed multiple teaching methods and educational environments to contribute to professional development 

Other Related Experience

OTHER RELATED EXPERIENCE

Career Intern, Marquette University Career Center, Milwaukee, WI     Aug. 20xx-Dec. 20xx

• Coached college students how to create effective resumes and cover letters providing constructive feedback, instruction and additional resources as needed
• Designed & presented professionalism presentations using Prezi & PowerPoint to student audience of up to 50
• Managed student presentation requests using Microsoft Outlook & Excel

Service Learner, Penfield Children’s Center, Milwaukee, WI                             Spring 20xx

• Worked with peers in psychology & speech language pathology as a member of an interdisciplinary team to develop a mock IEP report for an autistic ten year-old
• Utilized behavioral therapy strategies to engage student in learning activities and increase positive behavior

Tutor, Cathedral Center, Inc., Milwaukee, WI                                                      Fall 20xx

• Assisted 6 homeless students form diverse cultural backgrounds with homework for over 40 hours

Lifeguard, Des Plaines Park & Rec, Des Plaines, IL                                       Summers 20xx-20xx

• Enforced rules and regulations in order to maintain a safe environment for all patrons
• Remained calm during medical emergencies, followed emergency protocol and administered first aid 

Leadership Experience & Extracurricular Activities Section

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Peer Advisor, Marquette College of Education Peer Education Advising Resource Program     Aug. 20xx-Present Blogger, Marquette Educator Blog                                                                Fall 20xx  Secretary, McCabe Hall Executive Board                                                     Spring 20xx 

Your resume to-do list

Contact information.

• Your name as you want to be referred to in the workplace (e.g. Jonathan Baker, Jon M. Baker, J. Michael Baker) 
• Your name is 2-4 points larger than all other resume text 
• Current and/or permanent address 
• Phone number with area code (cell phone is best) 
• Email address (appropriate addresses only - an address that includes your name is best) 
• LinkedIn profile link (optional) 

OBJECTIVE OR SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS 

• OBJECTIVE  included that clearly states your goal OR SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS  included that clearly states your goal and your qualifications OR Your goal is so obvious NEITHER an objective nor a summary is necessary
• Name of higher educational institution or specialized training program conferring degree
• Degree or certification obtained/working toward (your PRIMARY MAJOR  determines the degree - BS or BA)
• Actual or anticipated graduation date
• Major(s)/minor(s)/area of concentration or emphasis
• GPA/Major GPA (optional unless required by employer, rule of thumb is to include if >3.0)
• GPA includes all decimal places (no rounding) and indicates 4.0 scale (e.g. 3.456/4.0)
• Certifications and/or licenses related to career goal (optional, may be listed here or in a separate section)
• Honors and/or awards with explanation/context, if necessary (optional, may be listed here or in a separate section)
• Relevant coursework, projects, and/or thesis (optional)
• Study abroad experience, formatted as another educational institution (optional)
• High school only included as a freshman or sophomore (optional) 

Each experience includes: 

• Organization name
• Location of organization (e.g. City, State)
• Date (e.g. month, year OR semester, year)
• Bulleted action word statements with clear and concise descriptions of skills and accomplishments (only optional for less relevant experience when trying to save space)
• Other work experience is included that shows dependability, longevity, etc. (optional)

EXPERIENCE - FORMAT

• Experience section(s) is/are given a name that best reflects content (e.g. Leadership Experience, Marketing Experience, etc.) 
• Experience listed in reverse chronological order within each experience section (most recent first) 
• Bulleted action word statements are listed in order of relevance to your objective 
• Bullets begin with action words 
• Action words are written in the present tense for current experiences and in the past tense for previous experiences 
• Action words vary throughout resume
• Bullets with higher level and most relevant skills/accomplishments are listed first
• Separate experience sections are strategically used to highlight relevant skills/accomplishments (optional) 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT (OPTIONAL)

• Honors and/or awards are listed in their own section (typically includes three or more listings) or under the education section as appropriate (dates optional) 
• Certifications and/or licenses are listed in their own section (typically  includes three or more listings) or under the education section as appropriate (include date obtained)
• Activities are listed in their own section and include undertakings during college years (and beyond) at the university and outside of the university (dates optional) 
• Languages and level of verbal and written proficiency listed in their own section, general skills section, or profile (e.g. native speaker, fluent, proficient, conversant, basic knowledge) 
• Computer/Technical skills (e.g. software, hardware, social media) and level of proficiency listed in their own section, general skills section, or profile (e.g. beginner, intermediate, advanced)
• Interests are only included when relevant to objective 

OVERALL APPEARANCE

• Resume is not created using a template
• Resume is appropriate length based on experience
• Margins measure between .5” and 1”
• Font style is simple and clean (e.g., Calibri, Arial, Verdana)
• Font size measures between 10 point and 12 point and any variations in font size are consistent throughout document and appropriately used for emphasis
• Methods of highlighting text (e.g. bold, italics, underline) are used appropriately and consistently throughout document
• White space is evenly distributed
• Text is aligned in a consistent manner using tabs
• Sections are arranged to place most relevant information closest to the beginning of the resume 

GRAMMAR, SPELLING, TYPOS

• No grammar errors
• No spelling errors
• No personal pronouns (e.g. I, me, my, you, their, etc.)
• Periods are used sparingly or not at all (periods are unnecessary in bulleted action word statements, but may be used in an objective or summary of qualifications)

Cover Letter Writing

Effective cover letters convey a sense of purpose, project enthusiasm for the position or program, and demonstrate your knowledge of the employer or graduate program’s goals and needs.

A positive first impression requires that your cover letter be neat and concise, containing no errors in spelling or grammar.  Each cover letter should be customized to fit the position for which you are applying. You will want to customize your cover letter depending on its purpose. 

Possible reasons for sending a cover letter:

• A result of a direct search
• A response to an advertisement
• A follow up on a contact made through networking

No matter what your reason for sending a cover letter, be sure It contains the following information: 

• Return address with the date
• Name, title, organization, and address of the person you are writing

Suggested Cover Letter Structure 

Use the same heading from your resume on the top of your cover letter

Beginning Paragraph 

• State purpose of letter
• Catch attention
• Indicate your interest in the position or company
• Flatter your audience by using company/ program information found through research

Middle Paragraph(s) 

• Explain how your background makes you a qualified candidate
• Give an example, talk about a specific project, accomplishment, or service
• Highlight information found in the resume

Final Paragraph 

• Refer the reader to your enclosures (resume, reference, examples of work)
• Indicate your intentions for follow-up if you plan to do so
• Repeat a number where you may be reached

Closing 

• Complimentary Close (e.g. Sincerely, Regards, Thank you)

SAMPLE 1 

1324 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI, 53233 | 414-288-7423 | [email protected]

Date + Name, Title, Organization, and Address of Recipient 

March xx, 20xx Hiring Manager Alma Center, Inc. 2568 N. Martin Luther King Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53212 Dear Hiring Manager :

Beginning Paragraph, Middle Paragraphs, and Final Paragraph

This letter is in regards to my application for the Case Manager-Life Skills Specialist position currently available with the Alma Center, as posted on the company website.  Based on the position description given, I am confident that my skills and abilities are a good fit for this organization.

The position of Case Manager-Life Skills Specialist at the Alma Center is very appealing to me for a number of reasons.  The mission of the organization, to eliminate violence and abuse in intimate relationships, matches my personal values.  One of my core beliefs is that peaceful interaction is always the best path, and being a part of an organization that also holds those beliefs is something I value highly.  Having the opportunity to work with fathers to foster this belief directly is another strong point of interest regarding this position.  My background is in working with children and teenagers at an environmental risk, and working with the Alma Center would provide me the opportunity to assist this client base, albeit in a different manner than in the past.

The traits I hold match very closely with those you seek in a Case Manager-Life Skills Specialist.  Through my internships I have had the opportunity to work in case management at South Shore Teen Rehabilitation Center, with public welfare programs.  These skills are all important traits for any counselor to have, and especially for a Life Skills Counselor.  During my time at South Shore, I handled numerous case files, working with teenagers to overcome drug and alcohol addictions.  This experience taught me the value of remaining open-minded and compassionate while maintaining a positive attitude, as without those aspects, the clients would not be able to receive the aid they required.

I feel that my experience and strong desire make me an excellent candidate for the position of Case Manager-Life Skills Specialist. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you in the near future.  If you have any questions regarding my documents or qualifications, please contact me at 414-288-7423 or through email at [email protected].  Thank you for your time and consideration.

First Name Last Name ( in script if sending electronically)

First Name Last Name 

1324 W. Wisconsin Ave ● Milwaukee, WI, 53233 ● 414-288-7423 ● [email protected]

February x, 20xx Ms. Patricia Davis Vice President of Sales, National Firm 123 Technology Drive Milwaukee, WI 53212 Dear Ms. Davis: 

Beginning Paragraph, Middle Paragraphs, and Final Paragraph 

I would like to be considered for the Proposal Writer role, which I learned about through your posting on Marquette University’s Career Manger system.  This May I will be graduating from Marquette University with a degree in Writing Intensive English. I feel that National Firm would be the ideal place to apply my writing skills to a business setting.  The following examples demonstrate how my educational background and professional experience make me an exceptional candidate for this position.

While working as a Peer Tutor at the Ott Writing Center, I partnered with students across all majors to achieve their writing goals.  Being able to switch from creative prose to explaining how semiconductors work in a matter of minutes enhanced my ability to switch tasks quickly and work in a dynamic and often ambiguous environment.  Additionally, as part of this role, I successfully completed advanced training in editing and listening.  All of these skills will help me to effectively compose proposals for National Firm. 

Furthermore in my current role as a Communications Intern at Assurant Health, I craft a variety of written materials including product guides for customers and internal memorandums for the intranet. These projects require me to work collaboratively with representatives from the legal, sales and public relations teams to turn thoughts into final products.  For each project, I listen to each department’s requirements, synthesize this information into written form and then organize it into an aesthetically pleasing format.

These experiences have taught me value of teamwork, flexibility and attention to detail, and I hope they will convince you to learn more about me in an interview.  Additional details regarding my qualifications can be found in the attached resume.  I can be reached on my cell phone at (414) 288-7423 or via email at [email protected].  I will call to follow up on this letter within the next week.  Thank you for considering me for this position.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  

First Name Last Name (in script if sending electronically)

• A professional person. Unless requested, do not select friends to serve as “character” references
• Someone who can talk about your skills, experience, abilities, and work ethic
• A potential employer may call them and ask questions about you

Choosing Your References 

• Choose people whom you have asked in advance to serve as references
• Be sure to ask individuals who will provide honest, candid, and positive recommendations
• Ask others at the beginning of your job search if they will serve as a reference for you during this particular search (if you search for another job in the future you will need to ask again)

After They Have Agreed

• Give them a copy of your resume. Ask them for advice or feedback. Talk to them about your career goals so they will be more prepared to talk to a potential employer in a helpful way.
• Remember that people have busy lives. If there are deadlines for writing letters or completing forms, be sure to tell your references. Check in with them if necessary. While doing so, be respectful and gracious of their other obligations.
• Let your references know when you have interviewed for a position and that they may be called to be a reference at that point. Send them the job description of the position and your updated resume you used to apply for the position.

Reference List 

For each reference you should list their:

When You Accept Your New Position 

Always follow up with your references when you have accepted the position. Send them a thank you note telling them about your new opportunity.

SAMPLE 

1324 W. Wisconsin Ave. • Milwaukee, WI 53233 • 414-288-7423 • [email protected]

References Section 

Dr. Sally Wilcox Assistant Professor of History Marquette University P.O. Box 1881 Milwaukee, WI  53201 414.288.7423 [email protected]

Professor for one class and my curriculum advisor for three years. Dr. Ken Smiley Professor of Political Science Marquette University P.O. Box 1881 Milwaukee, WI  53201 414.288.7423 [email protected]

Professor of my advanced seminar course and advisor to my international relations project. Mr. Jordan Jameson Office Manager Background Check Department Wisconsin Department of Intelligence 100 Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53201 414.555.5656 [email protected]

Supervisor and trainer for my Department of Intelligence internship. Ms. Angelique Brown Volunteer Supervisor Teen Service Club 20111 W. Wells Street Milwaukee, WI  53201-1881 414.288.7423 [email protected]

My supervisor and mentor for working with troubled teens. 

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