An effective resume and cover letter is key in the job application process.

Your resume and cover letter will often determine whether you get an interview with a prospective employer. Employers use resumes and cover letters to screen candidates during the hiring process to determine if they have the knowledge, abilities, and experience relevant to the specific job they are hiring for. Resumes provide a valuable opportunity for job seekers to present themselves, and illustrate their finest attributes and experiences.

Your resume should provide a potential employer with a written portrait of who you are, including your interests, skills, experiences, and achievements. Plan your resume carefully. Make this initial impression positive and enduring to prospective employers.

You may need several versions of your resume if you are searching for different types of jobs. Tailor your resume for each job and company you are contacting. A general, 'generic' resume gets far fewer interviews.

Where can I go for help with my resume?

Career Services offers a variety of services to help students prepare effective resumes. If you would like assistance in getting a resume started or have written a resume and would like to have it reviewed, call Career Services at 570-963-2690.

Resume Seminars and Workshops

Seminars on resume writing, interviewing, internships, and job search strategies will be offered in-class by faculty invitation.

Resume Resources

Building your Resume

Employers expect today's top candidates to possess:

  • Good academic standing (keep your grades up!)
  • Community and volunteer experiences (check out http://www.volunteermatch.org/)
  • Club and organizational involvement (also Intramural and Varsity sports--see Penn State Athletics on the web!)
  • Relevant work & internship experiences (consider a job or internship related to your major to gain experience)
  • Experiences that are different from other candidates (i.e., study abroad, internships, membership in professional organizations)

The Ultimate Resume Builder

Set Yourself Apart from the Pack:

Joining a professional organization helps to build and round out your resume, and allows you to grow professionally and interface with professionals in your field.

Joining a professional organization looks great on your resume. You will have the opportunity to read articles from authors in your chosen fields and see them present at conferences where you can network with other professionals.

Go to your favorite search engine and type in Professional Organizations (ex. Marketing). Investigate your results and see what they are all about. Click on memberships. Check out student memberships and investigate better pricing, often much less than what professionals in your field are paying.

As a student member, you get the same journals and newsletters as well as invitations to local and national conferences where you can interact and meet prominent authors and scholars.

Believe it or not, as a student member you can submit proposals to present at most conferences. What a resume builder!!