Resumes

• A targeted marketing tool—shows why you’re a close match

• Usually 1–2 pages

• Common sections: education, experience, activities, honors, skills

CVs (Curriculum Vitae)

• Used mainly in academic or research settings

• No page limit

• Highlights research, publications, academic honors, and presentations

• Complements your resume by looking forward

• Explains why you’re interested in the role/program

• Shows how your experiences fit the opportunity

• Demonstrates knowledge of the employer/program

• One page (3–4 paragraphs max)

• Required for graduate/professional schools and fellowships

• Explains why this field/program, why now, and how it fits your future goals

• Usually 2–3 pages, essay-style

Need more details?: Writing Personal Statements

Start with a clean foundation

• Skip complex templates that confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS)

• Use CCPD’s editable Google Doc resume starter (make a copy to edit; SU login required)

Target each resume

• Tailor content to the specific role/program

• Use keywords from postings

• Highlight transferable skills (teamwork, leadership, communication)

• Focus on accomplishments with measurable results

Format to your advantage

• Employers scan quickly (3–5 seconds)

• Place the most important info at the top and to the left

• Use chronological (preferred), functional, or hybrid formats

Tech tips

• Keep formatting simple for ATS scanning

• Fill your resume with keywords relevant to the opportunity

CCPD offers numerous samples of real SU student self-marketing documents targeted at many different opportunities:

• Sample Cover Letter for Job (PDF)
• Sample Cover Letter for Internship (PDF)
• Sample CV (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Business (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Federal Government (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Functional for (Veteran) (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Healthcare (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Public Relations (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Public Service (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Research Science (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Sales (for Alumnus) (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Scholarship (for First-Year) (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Social Services (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Teaching (Elementary) (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Teaching (Secondary) (PDF)
• Sample Resume - Theatre (PDF)
• Sample Reference Sheet (PDF)
• Sample Thank-You Letter (PDF)
• Additional helpful resources include:
  • Action Verbs for Resumes (PDF) - Handout to help craft bulleted resume descriptions
  • Resume Checklist (PDF) - Handout about resume development
  • The Curriculum Vitae (PDF) - Handout with details on CV development
  • 21st Century Career-Readiness Skills (PDF) - Handout articulating dozens of transferable skills with resume-ready descriptions