Resumes & CV

• Think about your experiences, both academically and professionally. This includes being involved with volunteer organizations, part-time jobs, research, class projects, internships, study abroad, extracurricular activities, and independent projects.
• Ask yourself, "What have I accomplished and what skills did I develop from those experiences?"

• Meet with a career coach, attend workshops, review career resources, and connect with student organizations in your field of choice.
• Refer to the internship and job postings on Handshake, LinkedIn, or other professional job boards to learn what knowledge, skills, and abilities employers are seeking.
• Compare your background to the requirements highlighted in the chosen internship or job description.

• Contact Header – Your name, email address, phone number, city, state, LinkedIn URL, and/or portfolio link
• Education and Honors
  • Indiana University, School of Public Health-Bloomington
  • Degree Name (Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Master of Science in Nutrition, etc.)
  • Major, minor, and concentrations GPA (recommended if GPA is above 3.0); match the number of decimal places, i.e., GPA: 3.45/4.00 or GPA 3.4/4.0
  • Do not include your high school education
• Experience Blocks – Include jobs, internships, research experience, volunteer, or leadership experience, study abroad, coursework, and extra-curricular activities. Group your experiences together using descriptive, tailored headings, i.e., "Healthcare Experience" or "Marketing Experience." Include:
  • Organization name and location (city, state)
  • Position title
  • Start and end dates
  • Two to five bullet point statements of responsibilities and accomplishments
• Research Experience – Write about these experiences like a job, internship, or extracurricular activity.
  • Explain what you were researching by answering "how" and "why" for your skills
  • Focus on skills: [Bullet Point begins with an action verb + what you did + how (by) + why (to)]
• Coursework – Include only classes that are relevant to the position you are seeking. Consider projects, research, group work, or skills gained.
• Skill Section – Highlight the technical skills gained during your experiences. Employers can reference this section to learn about your technical abilities.
  • Transferable skills, such as written communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, should be included in bullet points within your experience blocks.
  • Feature unique skills such as language proficiency, software familiarity, licenses, and certifications to stand out.

• Limit your resume to one page
• Maintain consistent formatting throughout your resume to ensure it is simple and easy to read
• Spelling and grammar check—correct spelling and grammar make a strong first impression and effectively communicate your background
• Do not include references—employers will request this list
• Avoid abbreviations—write it out

• Resume Template
• Resume Action Verbs

• Think about your experiences, both academically and professionally. This includes being involved with volunteer organizations, teaching positions, research opportunities, publications, conferences, part-time jobs, awards, leadership positions, class projects, extracurricular activities, and independent projects.
• Ask yourself, "What have I accomplished and what skills did I develop from those experiences?"
• Remember: a CV is a comprehensive document that summarizes an individual’s entire academic and professional history.

• Header – Your name, email address, phone number, city, state, LinkedIn URL, and/or portfolio link
• Research Experience – Write about these experiences like a job, internship, or extracurricular activity. Explain what you were researching by answering "how" and "why" for your skills.
  • List research experiences in reverse chronological order.
  • Include research position, projects, and interests.
  • This section should come directly after the Education section if you are applying for a research-based position.
• Current Research Interests - List in bulleted form or describe in paragraph form your research interests and goals.
• Education and Honors
  • Indiana University, School of Public Health-Bloomington
  • Degree Name (Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Master of Science in Nutrition, etc.)
  • Major, minor, and concentrations
  • GPA (recommended if above 3.0); match the number of decimal places, i.e. GPA: 3.45/4.00 or GPA: 3.5/4.0
  • Do not include your high school education
  • List education in reverse-chronological order
  • Focus on your recent and relevant experiences—there is no need to include high school details
• Experience Blocks – Include work experiences and internships
  • Group your experiences together using descriptive, tailored headings like "Healthcare Experience" or "Marketing Experience."
  • Include:
    • Organization name with location (city, state)
    • Date started and finished
    • Position title
    • Include 4–5 bullet point statements of responsibilities and accomplishments
• Service and Volunteering - List committees and organizations for which you have served as a member or held a leadership role. This can include volunteering and extracurricular activities.
• Honors & Awards - List honors and awards you received or were nominated for. Include the name of the award, the organization, and the date.
• Professional Affiliations - List professional organizations of which you are a member.
• Papers Presented at Conferences - List any presentations you have presented or co-presented at professional or academic conferences.
  • Include:
    • Title of Presentation.
    • Presented at Name of Conference, City, State, Year.
• Publications - List any journal articles, book chapters, or abstracts for which you are an author. Format using the reference style for your particular discipline, for example, APA style. Refer to a reference style manual for proper formatting. Author, I.M. (Year). Place the article title here. Name of Journal, Volume (Number), 252-254.
• Grants - List of grants applied for and grants received. Include name of grant, title of project, and dates.
• References - List 3–5 referencein references bulleted form Include:
  • Name of Reference
  • Title
  • College, School, or Department Name
  • Street Address
  • City, State, Zip Code
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
• Other Block Headers
  • Certifications (include month and year received)
  • Licenses (include the month and year the license is valid through)
  • Skills
  • Teaching Background

• CV Template
• Resume Action Verbs

Before drafting your cover letter, take the time to research the organization thoroughly. Learn about the mission, values, culture, and recent accomplishments to help you establish rapport and align your application with their goals. Analyze the job description to pinpoint the specific skills and qualifications the company is seeking. Reflect on how your background and experiences align with these requirements.

A cover letter can be much easier to create than you might assume. Every cover letter contains the same components:

• Contact header – Include your name, email address, and phone number. Address information is optional.
• Date – Spell out the month and include the day and year; for example, April 12, 2026.
• Organization address – Locate the company's address. This may be included in the job posting but may require additional effort to locate.
• Salutation – Start with "Dear [Recipient's Name]". If you have exhausted all resources to locate a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is an appropriate alternative.
• Body of the cover letter – The body of a cover letter is where you make your case for why you are the best candidate for the job.
• Signature/enclosure statement – End the letter with a polite closing statement such as "Sincerely" or "Thank you." Insert your signature or full typed name below. An enclosure notation indicates that other documents are included with the cover letter.

The introduction sets the tone for your entire cover letter, allowing you to share your skills and passion as they relate to the organization and the job. This paragraph should include the following elements:

• Explain why you are writing and how you learned about the specific job.
• Convey genuine interest in the opportunity to work for the company.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and highlight what appeals to you.
• Share specific skills that qualify you for the role.

Include one or two supporting paragraphs to highlight skills, experiences, or achievements that make you a good fit for the role.

• Begin by clearly articulating how your skills, education, or experience align with the specific requirements of the job. This helps the employer see your immediate fit for the role.
• Provide one or two specific short stories that illustrate your relevant skills. These should add depth to your resume by offering context and demonstrating your capabilities in action.
• Conclude each paragraph with how your experiences and skills will enable you to be an asset to their team.

The closing paragraph of your cover letter is crucial as it leaves a lasting impression and encourages the employer to take action.

• Reaffirm your enthusiasm for the position and highlight the key skills you bring to the role.
• Mention your resume and express your eagerness to discuss your qualifications in more detail during an interview.
• Thank the employer for their time and consideration, and provide your contact details for easy follow-up.

• Even if a cover letter isn't explicitly requested, submitting one can significantly enhance your application.
• Use block formatting, which is left-aligning the text with double spaces between sections.
• Limit the cover letter to one page, ensuring every sentence adds value.
• Sound human, mirroring the tone of the company culture.
• Be concrete and specific, avoiding cliches, slang, and acronyms.
• Proofread the cover letter carefully, avoiding grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Save the file as a PDF, including your name in the file name, like Smith_Katherine.pdf

Cover Letter Template

• Select 3–5 individuals who know you well and can speak to your skills, work ethic, and character in a professional context.
• Ideal references include supervisors from past jobs, internships, or volunteer roles, as well as faculty members, academic advisors, coaches, or campus staff. Avoid using family members, friends, or peers, as they are not considered objective sources.
• Employers may request references at various stages of the hiring process, sometimes before the interview, but more commonly afterward. Always bring a printed copy of your reference list to in-person interviews and have a digital version ready to share as needed.

• Contact header – Begin with your name, email address, and phone number at the top of the page. Including your address is optional. Use the same header, including font, layout, and style, as your resume and cover letter to create a cohesive application package.
• Reference information – List each reference using a consistent format. Confirm all contact details are up to date and use bold or italics for emphasis where appropriate. For each reference, include:
  Full name
  Organization, Current job title
  Email address
  Phone number
  Relationship to you and length of time known
• Layout and design – The reference sheet should be a separate document matching your resume and cover letter's overall design and font style. Aim for a clean, professional appearance that is easy to read.

• Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference. Confirm they feel comfortable providing a strong, supportive recommendation and that they will be available during your job or academic search.
• Prepare your references by sharing relevant materials in advance, such as your current resume or CV, cover letter, and the job or program description. This helps them tailor their responses to best support your candidacy.
• Express your gratitude after the process concludes whether you get the position or not. A thank-you message helps maintain a positive, ongoing professional relationship for future opportunities.

• Some applications may require letters of recommendation. Begin by identifying potential recommenders using the same criteria outlined for selecting references—individuals who can speak to your qualifications, character, and achievements relevant to the opportunity.
• Formally request the letter in advance, ideally at least two to three weeks before the deadline. You may reach out by phone, email, or in person, depending on your relationship with the individual.
• Be courteous and clear in your request, outlining a specific deadline and detailed instructions on how and where to submit. Follow up a few days before the deadline to gently remind them, if necessary.

Reference Template