resume help ohio university

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Enhance Resumes and Cover Letters

It's your first impression. Make it a good one.

A resume is a summary of your professional and educational experiences. As a concise, easy-to-read, compelling document that outlines your qualifications for a position, recruiters use resumes to determine if they would like a candidate to move forward with an interview.

Recruiters spend an average of eight seconds looking at a resume. This means they only glean a small amount of information from a resume before making a decision to hold onto it or not. One spelling, grammar, or formatting error can lead to a recruiter disregarding your resume. Always double-check your resume and have someone else read it before submitting an application.

Resume Templates

Resume Template: General [Word]
Resume Template: First Year [Word]
Resume Template: Including Business Cluster [Word]
Resume Template: Including Study Abroad [Word]

Resume Resources

Resume Guidelines [PDF]
Action Verbs for Resume [PDF]
Bullet Point Writing Worksheet [PDF]
Formula for Strong Business Cluster Bullet Points [PDF]
Elevating Bullet Points [PDF]

Cover Letters

A cover letter is an opportunity to describe your interest in and qualifications for a position. Cover letters also reveal a bit more about your personality and writing skills to recruiters.

The goal of a cover letter is to sell the employer on how your skills and experiences make you the best candidate for the job. Again, spelling, grammar, or formatting error can lead to a recruiter disregarding your cover letter. Always double-check your cover letter and have someone else it read it before submitting an application.

Cover Letter Resources

Cover Letter Template [Word]
Cover Letter Worksheet [PDF]
Cover Letter Guidelines [PDF]

Need Help Perfecting Your Resume or Cover Letter?

When you're ready for a helping hand, we're here for you. Schedule an appointment or stop by our Ohio University College of Business office, located in Copeland 214. We're open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with drop-in hours from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. during fall and spring semesters.

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Resume Review

A student works on their resume with the help of a Peer Career Coach

The Center for Career and Professional Success specializes in resume preparation for the internship or job search. For assistance preparing a CV or resume for graduate or professional school admissions, contact Buckeye Careers .

Those seeking an appointment with a Career Coach are strongly encouraged to work through the process of developing an approved resume before scheduling. Students can do so by either having their resumes reviewed during Drop-In Hours OR by following the process for an electronic resume review. When you begin with an approved resume, more of the appointment time can be devoted to discussing your career options.

An approved resume is free from errors or consists of errors that can be quickly fixed. Think of your resume as a living document that grows and changes as you gain experience through volunteering, internships, part-time jobs, and other opportunities. Continue to update your resume and have it reviewed by a staff member as you add more experience. Staff members are willing to provide feedback multiple times over the course of your Ohio State career.

To learn more and get your resume reviewed visit our Career Studio

Career Studio

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Resumes and Cover Letters

Ken Fujita, professor in the Department of Psychology, during a lab meeting with students

A resume is a personal statement of your qualifications to potential employers and focuses on your career target. It is not your work history or a copy of your job description. The purpose of a resume is to get an interview, where you will provide additional information. The information you obtained through your career exploration will also be valuable in this phase of your career search.

Below are examples of resumes:

There are many Internet and print sources available to help you write a resume. Some of our favorites are:

QuintCareers
Rockport Institute
Action Verbs

Cover Letter

All resumes should be accompanied by a cover letter. This lead-in to your resume highlights specific accomplishments and explains how you would contribute to the company. Additionally, at least three professional references should be listed on a separate sheet of paper and taken with you to the interview.

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Cover Letter

You’ve updated your resume, and now it’s time to write that cover letter. A cover letter is a document that may be required as part of your application for an internship or job. The objective is to introduce yourself, showcase your qualifications, and express your enthusiasm for the position. While your resume provides a summary of your experiences, the cover letter allows you to draw specific connections between your experiences and the position posting, in addition to demonstrating your communication skills. A compelling cover letter can set you apart from other applicants and help you secure that interview!

Step one: Research the company and position requirements

Before you start writing, you should understand the company and the skillset that the employer is seeking.

Review the job description closely, making note of minimum and preferred qualifications and any keywords used throughout the posting
Investigate the company's website, social media profiles, and news articles to understand its mission, values, and recent achievements
Consider networking or informational interviewing to gain insights from current or former employees about the company

Step two: Structure and format

Structure and formatting play an essential role in crafting a cover letter, as they provide clarity and organization to your message. A well-structured cover letter with appropriate formatting demonstrates attention to detail and enhances readability.

Choose a fonts that is professional and easy-to-read (e.g. Times, Calibri) in a legible size (typically 10-12 point) 
Include your contact information at the top of the letter (e.g., name, email, and phone)
Begin with a formal salutation addressing the recipient; the recipient is typically the hiring manager or person managing the posting
Organize your cover letter into distinct sections: introduction, body paragraph, and closing statement
Keep the length of your cover letter to one page
Review sample cover letters for inspiration as you get started (Link to sample cover letters here)

Step three: Engaging introduction

The cover letter introduction serves as your first impression to the employer, grabbing their attention and establishing your interest in the position.

Briefly introduce yourself and state the position for which you are applying
Share a brief summary of your background and experience, focusing on the skills and qualifications that make you a suitable candidate for the role
Express your enthusiasm about the opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals
Keep the introduction concise and to the point, avoiding excessive details or repeating information already mentioned in your resume

Step four: Showcasing your qualifications

The body paragraph is the space to provide detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and achievements that are relevant to the position. It allows you to demonstrate how your skills and accomplishments are connected to the job posting.

Include key words, qualifications, or skills from the job posting as they relate to your experience
Showcase your major accomplishments and skills
Demonstrate your value and explain how you can contribute to the position
Use concise, action-oriented language and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

Step five: Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph serves as a closing statement and reinforces your interest in the position.

Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and company
Convey confidence in your ability to excel in the role
Express gratitude for the consideration of your application and invite the employer to further discuss your qualifications
End the conclusion with a professional closing, such as "Thank you for your time and consideration" or "I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications relate to this role.”

Step six: Proofread and edit

Before you submit your application materials, it’s important to carefully proofread and edit. We also encourage you to meet with a career coach and/or a peer tutor at the Writing Commons to review materials before submitting.