Document Preparation
The resume and cover letter you submit with your application determine if you will receive an interview. The Rizzo Career Center wants to help you market yourself effectively and make the best first impression possible.
Your resume is an action-oriented document that highlights your experiences and accomplishments. It is not an exhaustive list of everything you have ever done, it should be tailored for each job application to prove relevant qualifications.
Learn more best practices for resumes, see sample templates, and get tips on writing bullet points.
A cover letter is another opportunity to share why you are the best candidate for the job. It allows you to tell more of the story behind the experiences on your resume. Cover letters also showcase your writing skills and is a way to help the employer see the connections between your past experiences and the expectations of the role by highlighting skills and experiences.
These documents are primarily used in academia, research, and graduate school applications. A key difference is that a CV doesn't have a length limitation. While a resume demonstrates qualifications for one particular job, a CV provides a more holistic look at your experiences. During your college career, there is not very much of a difference between a resume and CV in terms of the content to include so don't feel the need to start from scratch. The difference is often in the order of experiences and level of detail included. Some possible sections on a CV include: Research/Laboratory Experience, Publications & Presentations, Clinical Experience, Projects, Community Involvement/Volunteer Experience, Teaching Experience, and Professional Affiliations. The Rizzo Career Center can help you transform one into the other and review anything you have created.
If you are applying for a job with the federal government, your resume will look pretty different than for jobs in the private sector. One main difference is the length - federal resumes should be 2-4 pages.
We recommend using the resume builder on USAJobs as it prompts you for all the required information. Once you enter you information, download the document and then clean up the formatting before submitting to any roles.
ChatGPT & AI
The Rizzo Career Center encourages students and alums to critically examine the benefits and hazards of generative AI. These tools can add efficiency to your career journey, but they should never replace the critical thinking and communication skills you develop as a Loyola Greyhound.
Learn more about our AI tips, considerations, and suggested prompts.