1. Resume and Cover Letter
Preparation
Bank of America
Career Services Center
University of Delaware

2. The most important part…
• Make it large
• Use a bold and attention-grabbing,
but still PROFESSIONAL font

3. Contact and Personal Information
• MUST INCLUDE:
– Phone
(specify cell or home)
– Email
• MAY INCLUDE:
– Permanent Address
– Local/Campus Address
– URL to a Professional
Website or Networking Site
• MAY NOT INCLUDE:
– Birth Date
– Social Security Number
– Citizenship Status
– Age
– Marital status
– Religion
– Photograph

4. Objective
• OPTIONAL
• Recommended only if you can make it specific
“To obtain the position of Summer Research Intern at
Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals for the Summer of 2012.”
• Generic objectives are NOT recommended.
It is better not to have one at all.

5. Education Section
Fill in the blanks…
University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Bachelor of ____ in _______________ May
____
Minors: _______________________
Concentrations: ________________
GPA: (optional) /4.0
Major GPA: (if asked for or if better) /4.0
Honors: (Dean’s List, Merit Scholarships, etc.)

6. What’s The Most Important Part
of The Education Section?
• A lot of people say “University of Delaware”
• Your DEGREE is equally if not MORE important…..
• Try bolding or italicizing it to draw attention

7. Skills Section
• Should I put this in my skills section?
– YES. As long as it can be backed up by something in
your experiences section later.
• Format ideas…

8. What are “Skills”?
• Technical Skills
– Windows and/or Mac
– Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PP, etc.)
– Field-Specific Programs (Python, MatLab, etc.)
– Lab Equipment/Procedures
• Language Skills
– Basic Knowledge, Conversant, Fluent, or Native
• Certifications/Trainings
– CPR, Lab Safety Training, Human Subjects Training
• Transferrable Skills
– Debate whether to list these or not, up to you

9. Experiences Section
Multiple ways to lay this out…
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
VOLUNTEER
EXPERIENCE
LEADERSHIP
EXPERIENCE
RELATED EXPERIENCE
WORK EXPERIENCE

10. More on Each Experience…
Position, Institution, City, State, Dates
• For formatting consistency:
• Position=Degree, Company=University
• Date formats:
February 2011 – May 2011 Summers 2009-2011
September 2011 – Present Can use abbrev.s

11. What About The “Descriptions” Part?
• What did you do?
• How did you do it?
• What were the results?
• Use specific numbers if
you can.
EXAMPLES:
“Worked closely with a team
of business leaders to
save the company
$36,000 in excess
expenditures.”
“Provided excellent
customer service to an
average of 600 patrons
per week.”
“Shadowed physicians
during their daily rounds.”

12. Other Sections You May
Include…
• ACTIVITIES
UD Swim Club, Sept 2009 – Present
Delaware Repertory Dance Company, Feb 2010 - Present
• AWARDS AND HONORS
Mock Trial Team, 3rd Place at Nationals, Feb 2011
Merit Scholarship, Sept 2009 – Present
Dean’s List, Fall 2009 and Spring 2010
• Any combination of these sections

13. References Section?
• NO.
• Your resume is not the place for references.
• You may include a line like:
• If the employer asks for a list of references, include
it as a separate page.

14. FAQ
• Do I include High School stuff?
– It is acceptable to include high school information until
you are a Junior. After that, keep it only if it is especially
important to you or especially relevant to the job you are
applying for.
• It should be one page right?
– Yes. Make it one page.
• Should I include an “interests” section?
– Usually no. There may be exceptions depending on the
job type and what your goals are.

15. • Where do I put my Study Abroad info?
– You may include this as a separate line in the Education
section underneath your UD info.
• Should I list relevant courses?
– You may list these in Education if you want to or if the
employer asks. But please only put RELEVANT,
UNIQUE, and APPLICABLE coursework. Do not list
“Introduction to Engineering”.
• Third person right?
– Correct. There should be no first person. The Cover
Letter is the place to recount your experiences in first
person and relate them to the job you are applying for.

16. Reminders…
• Be consistent both in format and in wording.
• No typos or grammar errors.
• No color or distracting boxes and formats.
• Avoid underlining, graphics, icons, shading, and
shadowing.
• Font should be between 10-12 for the body.
• Take advantage of widening the margins if you
need space.
• If you change margins or use different fonts always
save as a PDF and upload that copy.

17. Cover Letter
• A business letter that accompanies your resume
• Address it to a specific person
• No more than one page
• Don’t be pushy or assuming

18. Cover Letter
• THE MAIN POINT: Elaborate on a few of the
experiences in your resume. Relate what you learned
there to how you are qualified for the job.
• First paragraph: Who are you? Why are you writing?
• Second and Third paragraphs: Elaborate on your
education and one or two experiences.
• Final paragraph: Thank the reader. Give contact
information. Mention that you are hoping for the
opportunity to interview.

19. Need More Help?
• The Career Center has a Resume/Cover Letter
handout with specific samples.
• Additional on-line assistance is available at
http://www.udel.edu/CSC/resume.html
• Resume critiques are available for free every
weekday from 2-4pm at the career center.

20. THANKS!
GOOD LUCK!
Thank You!
And Good Luck!