Resume &

Cover Letter

Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Resume Builder Checklist 2

Action Verb List 4

Degree Language for

Resumes: CPS Programs 7

Sample Resumes 8

Cover Letters 16

The George Washington University

College of Professional Studies

Career Services Office 805 21st St NW, Suite 301 | Washington, DC 20052

Phone: 202-994-4473

E-mail: cpscareer@gwu.edu

Website: http://cps.gwu.edu/career.html

A resume is your primary marketing tool when applying for a job or when networking as part of a job search.

The goal is not to provide potential employers with every single detail about you, but rather to demonstrate

your fit for a specific position. Since organizations and positions vary in terms of desired skill sets and

experience, you may need to create more than one resume.

Choosing a Format

Below are the three common ways to organize and format your resume.

I N T R O D U C T I O N

1

Reverse

Chronological

Functional Hybrid

• Most common resume

format

• Employment and education

listed from most recent to

earliest

• Works well when you have

significant experience in

the same field as the target

position

• Emphasizes skills rather than

work history

• Can be useful to career

changers with extensive

previous work experience in

another field

Combines elements of

functional and chronological:

• positions listed in reverse

chronological order

• major skill sets emphasized

General Formatting Tips

Avoid using a resume template. Most templates limit your ability to manipulate and format text.

Choose a professional font (e.g. Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, etc.). A single font should be

used throughout your entire document.

Use at least 11 point font size. Fonts smaller than 11 point may be difficult for some employers to

read.

Avoid excessive bold, underlined and italicized text . Using these can help highlight areas in the

resume you want to draw the reader’s attention. However, overuse can be distracting.

Use bullets to break up long blocks of text. Doing so allows the reader to scan through your resume

more efficiently.

Save your resume in a Word document. Send your resume as a PDF file. Include your first and last

name in the file name (e.g. John_Doe.doc)

Limit your resume to one or two pages. If you use two pages, put the most important information on

the first page. Make sure you put your name and page # in the header or footer of the second page in

case the pages become separated

Contact Information Your name. List at the very top of your resume

Full address. Include city, state and zip code. If you will be moving during your search and have an

address in your target geographic location, list it.

Phone #. Make sure your personal voicemail greeting has a professional feel to it.

Email. One email address is sufficient; keep it professional.

REQUIRED SECTIONS

Education If your CPS program of study is more closely related to the position you are applying to than your previous

work experience, list it as the first section on your resume. Consider including relevant courses to further

demonstrate how your degree has prepared you for the position. Never assume the individual reading your

resume will fully understand the skills you’ve acquired and specific knowledge obtained, as a result of your

training.

List the degree, institution, location and dates attended.

Anticipated graduation date (if currently seeking degree through the College of Professional Studies).

GPA is optional. However, it can be advantageous to list (if 3.5 or higher)

Experience List in reverse chronological order.

Include the following: position title held, employer name, location and dates employed.

List key responsibilities for each position. Additionally, in this section, try to incorporate professional

accomplishments from each position.

Quantify where applicable (e.g. “Managed $250K budget”; “oversaw 6 direct reports”; “Reduced

overall expenditures by $1M”).

OPTIONAL

Objective It is unnecessary to include a straightforward objective (e.g. “To obtain a position as a

paralegal”) if you are applying directly to a job. However, including such a statement can be helpful

when using your resume for networking purposes. It can help clarify your immediate employment

interests to potential readers of your resume.

Avoid generic cliché statements that do not add much value (e.g. “Seeking position in IT that

utilizes my previous training and education”)

Summary (alternative titles, Summary of Qualifications, Qualifications, Profile) This section provides the employer with a snapshot of your most desirable professional attributes. Think of

it as a billboard within your resume. It advertises and summarizes your most relevant experience and skills.

You can list these as bullet items or summarize in a few sentences. Refer to the samples in this handbook

for additional guidance on how to construct a summary section.

Skills By designating a stand alone section, you can direct the reader’s attention to relevant job specific skills.

Add a “technical skills” section for IT and other technical positions. Including keywords, or specific

skills, will help ensure your resume passes the initial screen. However, use caution as every item on

your resume fair game for discussion. Be truthful and do not inflate your skill set just to get beyond the

initial screening.

Categorize your skill sets. You may want to highlight a variety of skills. If so, categorize these and

provide separate subheadings to provide clarity (e.g. Languages, Computer, Publishing Software, etc.)

R E S U M E B U I L D E R C H E C K L I S T

2

DO NOT list the following on your resume:

Personal information. This includes age, date of birth, marital status, religious

orientation, political affiliation, sexual orientation, etc.

Your Social Security #.

A picture of yourself.

The phrase, “References Available Upon Request”. This is automatically

assumed.

Items you may consider including to add value to your resume:

Your LinkedIn profile link. LinkedIn offers features that are not included on your

paper resume including recommendations and endorsements for various skills from

professionals in your network.

Links to your online portfolio/completed projects and/or writing samples (e.g.

publications, blogs, etc.). Providing these will allow the employer to view your

previous work and assess your writing skills.

Security clearance(s).

Volunteer experience. Volunteer experience may provide some additional insight

into your values if you are active with charitable causes or organizations with a

particular mission. Additionally, it can serve to demonstrate your managerial potential

if you’ve assumed a leadership role through your volunteer work.

R E S U M E B U I L D E R C H E C K L I S T

3

To enhance the readability of your resume, avoid portions of dense text. Instead,

consider including bullet statements that succinctly showcase your experience and

skills. Below is a list of action verbs, categorized by function, that you can use to lead off

your bullet statements.

AC T I O N V E R B S

Leadership

Administered Converted Founded Merged Secured

Analyzed Delegated Generated Motivated Streamlined

Appointed Developed Headed Organized Strengthened

Approved Directed Improved Originated Supervised

Assigned Eliminated Incorporated Prioritized

Authorized Emphasized Increased Produced

Chaired Enforced Initiated Recommended

Consolidated Enhanced Instituted Reorganized

Contracted Established Led Reviewed

Controlled Executed Managed Scheduled

Administrative (organization, detail and time management)

Approved Distributed Logged Reserved Streamlined

Arranged Expedited Maintained Reshaped Supplied

Catalogued Extracted Monitored Responded Systemized

Categorized Executed Operated Revamped Tabulated

Classified Generated Organized Reviewed Targeted

Coded Identified Prepared Scheduled Updated

Collected Implemented Processed Screened

Compiled Incorporated Reorganized Specified

Corrected Inspected Registered Standardized

4

AC T I O N V E R B S

Helping

Advocated Collaborated Educated Facilitated Provided

Aided Contributed Encouraged Guided Referred

Assisted Cooperated Ensured Helped Resolved

Clarified Counseled Encouraged Intervened Supported

Coached Diagnosed Ensured Motivated Volunteered

Data/Financial

Administered Assessed Corrected Prepared Researched

Adjusted Audited Estimated Programmed

Allocated Balanced Forecasted Projected

Analyzed Budgeted Managed Reconciled

Appraised Calculated Netted Reduced

Research

Analyzed Critiqued Examined Interviewed Reviewed

Clarified Detected Explored Investigated Searched

Collected Determined Extracted Measured

Compared Diagnosed Formulated Organized

Conducted Evaluated Inspected Researched

Technical

Adapted Computed Fabricated Programmed Standardized

Applied Designed Installed Remodeled Studied

Assembled Developed Maintained Repaired Upgraded

Built Devised Operated Replaced Utilized

Calculated Engineered Overhauled Solved

5

AC T I O N V E R B S

Creative/Design

Adapted Designed Founded Invented Revised

Composed Developed Illustrated Modified Revitalized

Conceptualized Directed Instituted Originated Shaped

Created Established Integrated Performed Solved

Customized Fashioned Introduced Planned

Miscellaneous (other action verbs to consider)

Achieved Contracted Indicated Restored Surveyed

Acted Disbursed Instituted Reviewed Sustained

Activated Dispatched Involved Satisfied Traced

Added Displayed Issued Screened Transacted

Admitted Enlisted Licensed Secured Transformed

Apportioned Excelled Maintained Served Transmitted

Approximated Executed Operated Set Valued

Attained Exercised Pioneered Smoothed Won

Certified Familiarized Prepared Sought

Completed Figured Realized Specified

Commissioned Garnered Reduced Submitted

Committed Guaranteed Related Succeeded

Consented Improved Reserved Surpassed

6

D E G R E E L AN G U A G E F O R R E S U M E S :

C P S P R O G R AM S

**FOR ALL PROGRAMS: The George Washington University, Washington, DC

PARALEGAL Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies, expected May 2012

Graduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies, May 2011

[note: Master’s students can list both once they have completed certificate requirements]

PUBLISHING Master of Professional Studies in Publishing, May 2012

SAFETY AND SECURITY LEADERSHIP Master of Professional Studies in Security and Safety Leadership, May 2011

POLICE SCIENCE Bachelor of Professional Studies in Police Science, expected May 2012

Associate in Professional Studies in Police Science, May 2011

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Graduate Certificate in Landscape Design, May 2010

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Landscapes, expected December 2011

Master of Professional Studies in Landscape Design, expected May 2012

[note: should list any/all that are applicable]

INTEGRATED INFORMATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Bachelor of Professional Studies, Integrated Information, Science, and Technology, May 2011

MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY Master of Professional Studies in Molecular Biotechnology, expected December 2012

HEALTHCARE CORPORATE COMPLIANCE Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Corporate Compliance, August 2011

LAW FIRM MANAGEMENT Master of Professional Studies in Law Firm Management, expected May 2012

Graduate Certificate in Law Firm Management, May 2011

[note: Master’s students can list both once they have completed certificate requirements]

SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Urban Planning, August 2013

7

R e v e r s e C h r o n o l o g i c a l - H e a l t h

C o m p l i a n c e

8

R e v e r s e C h r o n o l o g i c a l ( w i t h S u m m a r y ) -

I n f o r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y

9

R e v e r s e C h r o n o l o g i c a l - P a r a l e g a l

10

R e v e r s e C h r o n o l o g i c a l - P u b l i s h i n g

11

R e v e r s e C h r o n o l o g i c a l – P u b l i s h i n g

12

F u n c t i o n a l - L a n d s c a p e D e s i g n

13

F u n c t i o n a l - P o l i c e S c i e n c e

14

H y b r i d - P a r a l e g a l S t u d i e s

15

C O V E R L E T T E R S

Guide to Writing an Effective Cover Letter

You should include or submit a cover letter whenever possible. As you draft your cover letter, develop a

rationale as to why you believe you are a good fit for the particular organization and specific position.

Then, back this up with cited evidence. Cover letters provide you the opportunity to draw the employer’s

attention to specific aspects of your resume. In addition to reinforcing your qualifications, cover letters

allow you the opportunity to tell the employer why you are interested in the opportunity. Tailor each cover

letter to your specific audience’s needs. Never send a generic cover letter since it will likely hurt your

candidacy.

Cover letter content (essential items):

Clearly identify the position you are seeking. List this in the first 1-2 sentences.

Succinctly highlight only your most relevant experience and skills. Do not go into extraneous

detail and talk about your entire work history.

Reference personal qualities you possess that will be of benefit to the job (e.g. dedicated,

passionate, motivated, personable, etc.)

Cover letter content (adding a personal touch):

Write with an enthusiastic narrative. It shouldn’t appear to the employer that you are simply

applying because you meet the minimum qualifications. Be specific about what aspects of the

position most appeal to you as well as qualities of the organization/employer that you admire.

Personally address the letter. If possible, avoid general salutations (e.g. Dear Sir or Madam).

Instead, try to locate an individual addressee. LinkedIn can serve as valuable tool these individuals.

If you’re applying to a relatively small organization, you may even try making direct contact to see if

the receptionist can provide a name. Alternatively, you can address it to the

“group” in which the position resides (e.g. Dear Marketing team)

Show that you have “inside” connections

You can use the opportunity to include information in the cover letter that would not appear on your

resume. For example, if you have a trusted professional contact (who is in good standing) who works

at your targeted employer, reference this person in the letter.

Cover letter formatting:

Type in standard business, block style format

Use the same font as in your resume, preferably 11 or 12 point Times New Roman, Garamond, Arial,

etc.

16

C O V E R L E T T E R T E M P L AT E

Your Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Phone

Date

Recipient’s Name

Title

Company name

Street address

City, State, ZIP Code

Dear (Ms., Mr., or Dr.) Last Name:

Opening (1 paragraph):

State the position you are applying for and how you learned of it. If you are writing at

the suggestion of someone who knows the addressee, indicate so. ***Address what

specifically interests you about that company/position.***

Middle (1-2 paragraphs):

Spell out exactly how your experiences, skills, and education fit the position and can

benefit the company. Do not repeat everything in your resume. Rather, focus on only

the required skills the employer has identified. Use the job advertisement to provide

guidance in writing this section. This section will be the longest portion of your

resume.

Closing (1 paragraph):

Indicate that you are attaching or enclosing your resume. If you are relocating,

indicate when you will be in town (best to be specific) or that you can come to town at

the employer’s convenience. Thank the employer in advance for consideration of

your candidacy. Drive your enthusiasm and interest in the position home by

referencing one additional aspect of the the employer/position that you admire.

Sincerely,

Your typed name

The template below offers a suggested cover letter format and structure. Remember – each must be

specifically tailored to the particular position and circumstances. The CPS Career Services Office is

available to review draft cover letters.

17

S AM P L E C O V E R L E T T E R

18

John Doe

1234 Obscure Way

Washington, DC 00000

555-555-5555

March 10, 2013

Ms. Alice Winter

Managing Editor

IT Global Insight

333 21st Avenue

New York, NY 11111

Dear Ms. Winter:

I am writing in response to the Copy Editor (ID#123456) position posted on IT Global

Insight’s (ITGI) website. I was pleased to see that you are looking for someone with

high level editing skills to work on a wide variety of publications. My prior industry

experience in combination with my graduate training in Publishing has prepared me to

work in ITGl’s fast pace environment.

Throughout my tenure at ABC Publishing where I served as a junior copy editor, I

successfully managed multiple projects and consistently met deadlines. I have a strong

work ethic and possess the ability to adapt to changing demands to drive projects to

completion. My undergraduate degree in English has provided me with a strong

foundation in writing and my volunteer work at GW’s writing center refined my editing

skills. Additionally, through my current graduate training, I’ve acquired additional

editing experience on various independent and team-based projects. These include

the development of a mock trade journal and as well as an active industry (healthcare)

blog site that was developed in my Digital Publishing course. I am proficient in MS

Office an various Adobe products and am quick to learn new software packages and

web platforms.

I plan to relocate to New York City after obtaining my Masters in Professional Studies

degree this May and am eager to discuss how my qualifications and prior experience fit

your team’s needs. I can be reached via phone, Skype or email at your convenience. I

can also make arrangements to meet in person with 24-hour’s notice. Thank you for

your time and attention.

Sincerely,

John Doe