cv and cover letter workshop

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Virtual Workshops – Resumes and Cover Letters

Resume strategies.

Perhaps the most confusing part of your self-promotion process, writing effective resumes is more of an art than a science. In this virtual workshop, you’ll have an opportunity to learn the basics as well as advanced strategies for creating resumes that meet your needs.

This workshop is hosted through BroncoLearn. After selecting the following button:

• Click Enroll
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Go to the Resume Strategies Workshop

Cover Letters

While uses for cover letters vary, a cover letter can make or break your application. In this module, you’ll learn how to write compelling cover letters that clearly articulate why you’re the right person for the job.

Launch the Cover Letters Workshop

Click here to see all available virtual workshops.

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Learn how to best highlight your graduate experience and skills and impress a prospective employer in job application documents. To demonstrate your fit for a job and increase your chances of securing an interview, adapt your application materials to match the job description. Review our materials below to learn how to write and format resumes, CVs, and cover letters as well as tailor them to specific job descriptions for academia, industry, nonprofit, government, and business.

Job Application Tools and Best Practices

Cvs and application materials for faculty positions.

Review our example CV templates for Humanities and Social Sciences or STEM disciplines to learn best practices for formatting this document for the faculty job search.

Humanities and Social Sciences CV

Example CV for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in humanities and social sciences.

Example CV for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Teaching Statement

Example of an annotated teaching statement for a tenure-track faculty position.

Resumes and Cover Letters

For detailed content guidelines for each section of the document, view our resume chart and cover letter chart. For formatting guidelines for writing a resume and cover letter, view our resume template and cover letter template. View example resumes in the fields of academic administration, nonprofit, industry, government, business, and manufacturing.

Resume Writing Guidelines

Overview of format and structure for a resume.

Resume Template

Annotated resume template highlighting format, guidelines and strategies for framing graduate experience as work experience.

Cover Letter Writing Guidelines

Overview of format and structure for a cover letter.

Cover Letter Template

Annotated cover letter template outlining format, guidelines and strategies for framing graduate experience as work experience.

Reference List Template

Example reference list that outlines what and how to include reference information.

Active Verb List

List of verbs to frame accomplishment statements on a resume.

Example Accomplishment Statements

Examples of short, impactful statements that highlight overall impact in a position and translate academic training into work experience.

Tailoring Resumes and Cover Letters

Review our examples resumes and cover letters for jobs in academia, industry, nonprofit, government, and business. These example documents are tailored to real job descriptions and demonstrate how to write your documents so they highlight fit with the position.

Academic Administration Resume and Cover Letter

Sample job description, resume and cover letter of a graduate student resume for a position in a higher education administration that outlines writing strategies to frame graduate experience and target application materials according to industry standards.

Business Resume and Cover Letter

Sample job description, resume and cover letter of a graduate student resume for a position in a consulting firm that outlines writing strategies to frame graduate experience and target application materials according to industry standards.

Industry Resume and Cover Letter

Sample job description, resume and cover letter of a graduate student resume for a position in a semiconductor manufacturing company that outlines writing strategies to frame graduate experience and target application materials according to industry standards.

Nonprofit Resume and Cover Letter

Sample job description, resume and cover letter of a graduate student resume for a position in a nonprofit organization that outlines writing strategies to frame graduate experience and target application materials according to industry standards.

Workshop Resources

Learn more about writing resumes, CVs, cover letters, and other application materials from these recent workshops.

CV Writing 101

Learn how to articulate your academic accomplishments within the specific conventions of the academic CV. We will also explore the possibilities for tailoring and persuasively positioning elements within the CV to match certain academic opportunities including fellowships. Finally, we will reframe the CV as a tool and “to-do” list that indicates areas where scholars can bolster aspects of their scholarly identity with intentionality as they progress through their training.

Polishing Your CV: Humanities and Social Sciences

This online, interactive session will address the nuances of CV writing specifically in Humanities and Social Sciences fields and how to frame your research, teaching and service accomplishments for different types of institutions and audiences.

Polishing Your CV: STEM

This online, interactive session will address the nuances of CV writing specifically in STEM fields and how to frame your research, teaching and service accomplishments for different types of institutions and audiences.

Part 1: Demonstrating Institutional Fit

Part 2: Elements of a CV

Part 3: Search Committee Perspective

The academic cover letter.

This session addresses the purpose of the cover letter, its format and necessary contents, along with tips on how to avoid common mistakes and missteps in order to provide the search committee the best first impression. Attendees will leave this session with clearly identified content to include and a concrete outline of their cover letters.

Writing a Compelling Resume

In this virtual workshop, you will learn how to write a resume describing your graduate school experiences that is compelling to employers. You will be able to identify the format and components of a resume, tailor your resume to a job description, and communicate your skills by emphasizing your accomplishments.

Meet with an expert

Make a confidential appointment with a Graduate Career Advisor to explore next steps and prepare for your career.

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Cover Letter

What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

The purpose of the cover letter is to gain the interest of an employer and be invited to an interview. While the resume provides an overview of your background, the cover letter allows you the opportunity to highlight those aspects of your background that are relevant to the position you are seeking. A good cover letter can help heighten the employer's incentive to learn more about you by reading your resume and meeting you for an interview. It also gives the employer a sample of your writing skills.

We have three methods for you to learn how to create your resume and/or cover letter.

Virtual and/or in-person resume and cover letter workshop, virtual resume and cover letter online course .

• Pre-recorded Resume and Cover Letter Workshop

Held twice a month, this workshop will help you to build your resume and cover letter so you can be successful when applying for jobs and internships. Head to  Handshake  to see when the next Resume and Cover Letter workshop will be held and what format it will be (virtual or in-person).

You can view the information from our Resume and Cover Letter Workshop at any time through our self-paced course on Canvas.  Visit this page  and follow the instructions to login.

Pre-recorded Resume and Cover Letter Workshop 

You can view this at any time. This pre-recorded version is the same as our Resume and Cover Letter Workshop, however, you will be unable to ask questions during it. You can find the video here .

To write an effective cover letter, you need to take time to research and write an original letter. The letter should be tailored to each employer and reflect your knowledge of the employer's needs. Researching the organization and position before you write your cover letter will make this task much easier.

There are two primary ways to have your resume and/or cover letter reviewed.

• Career Spot Drop-In
• In-Depth Resume Review

Career Spot Drop-Ins are for brief, 15 minutes or less, consultations to answer any career-related questions you may have, including networking, interview help, job search strategies, resume and cover letter reviews, or an overview of our services. Career Spot Drop-Ins occur from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. every Monday-Friday while the university is open. See how you can visit with us at drop-ins by logging into Handshake.

For a more thorough review of your resume, submit it through Handshake by clicking on ‘Career Center’ then ‘Resources’ and then ‘Resume/Cover Letter Critique Submission Form.’ We will email you feedback within 5-7 business days.

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Resumes, Cover Letters & CV's

A resume is used to showcase your professional and educational experiences that are aligned to your career goals. The purpose of a resume is to capture the attention of the reader, while also listing your unique qualities, skills and accomplishments in a concise, organized fashion. The resume may be utilized to make a favorable impression, so decide what should be included based on the job position and/or graduate school you are applying for, along with acknowledging the qualifications of the prospective reader. Also important is to tailor your resume to match individual job announcements. JobScan is a powerful tool that can assist you in creating a more effective resume for a specific job and better your chances for an interview. See resources below for information to help you with the resume writing process.

What is Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software for recruiters and employers to track candidates throughout the recruiting and hiring process. These systems allow businesses to collect information, organize prospects based on experience and skill set, and filter applicants

Key takeaways

• Tailor your CV / Resume to the job description
• Match your CV / Resume keywords to the skills found in the job description
• Use long-form and acronym/abbreviation versions of keywords
• Don't use tables
• Use a screen-friendly fonts
• Use a reverse chronological format
• Save your file as an MS word doc. x and PDF

Guides & Tips

• Resume Tips
• Summary of Qualifications Examples
• Action Verb List
• O*NET Guide (Bullet Point Statements)
• Resume Writing Worksheet
• Bullet Point Statement Writing
• Resume 101 PowerPoint
• Resume Layout Sample with W.H.O. Method
• Resume Section Heading Ideas
• Incorporating Research Project Experience on Your Resume
• Supplemental Resume Writing Handout
• Reference Page Sample
• MissCoyoteResume.docx
• Miss%20Coyote2Resume.docx

General Resume Format Samples

• Chronological Resume Format
• Combination Resume Format
• Functional Resume Format
• Federal Resume Format

Cover Letters

A cover letter demonstrates to the prospective employer why you are interested in the company or position you are applying to. It also provides an effective summary of your skills, experiences and why it would benefit the company. In short, the cover letter suggests areas where your skills and attributes would benefit the the employer.  See resources below for information to help you with the cover letter writing process.

• Cover Letter Guide: Sample 1 
• Cover Letter Guide: Sample 2

Curriculum Vitae's (CV's)

A curriculum vitae is a comprehensive description of your professional academic achievements and may have categories and documentation that go beyond the needs of a standard resume. Individuals who are utilizing this format typically use it for a teaching or research position and is commonly used abroad. It can also be used for grants and fellowships.  How is a Curriculum Vitae different from a Resume?  The most noticeable difference between most curriculum vitae's and most resumes is the length. Entry level resumes are usually limited to a page. Curriculum vitae's, however, often run to three or more pages. (Remember, length is not the determinant of a successful curriculum vitae). You should try to present all the relevant information that you possibly can, but you should also try to present it in as concise a manner as possible.  See resources below for information to help you with the CV writing process.

• Curriculum Vitae Guide
• Curriculum Vitae Sample

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Cover Letter Workshop - Introduction

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The following resources should help you conduct research and compose your cover letter (also known as the job application letter).

What is the purpose of the cover letter?

A cover letter:

• introduces you and your resume to an employer
• explains why you are writing or applying for the job
• details why you are a good match for the organization and the position
• demonstrates your abilities and helps to establish your credibility
• draws your readers' attention to specific qualifications
• provides a sample of your written communications skills
• explains when you plan to contact your prospective employer.

Tailor your cover letter to:

• show specific needs of employers and how you meet them
• persuade that your goals align with the organization's goals (mission) and that your skills align with the position requirements (also see our Effective Workplace Writing resource).

An effective cover letter:

• highlights the qualifications related to the position as laid out in the job criteria
• proves that you align well with the organization and that you meet the job requirements
• provides contact information and a plan for future contact.

Learning about the job

Your ability to learn the needs of your readers will help you write a cover letter effectively. You should learn as much as you can about your audience (your potential employer) before writing your cover letter. Your goal is to learn about the organization, its goals and needs. Then, you should learn about what kind of employee the organization needs and what an employee will be expected to do.

After reading a job advertisement, ask as many questions as you can to learn what your prospective employer wants. Lastly, think about who will be reading your job application documents - human resources, prospective employers, etc. Think about how your document many move through the organization you want to join (also see our Audience Analysis resource).

Some questions to begin with are:

• "What values and skills would a good match have for the prospective organization/job?"
• "What kind of personality do I have?"
• "What level of education do I need?"
• "What kind of work experience do I need?"

Read the job advertisement carefully. Most advertisements are divided into two sections, a qualifications section, and an explanation of what duties the hired candidate will perform.

Contact the organization

Another way to learn about a good match for the organization and job is by contacting someone with "inside information" (insiders).

Insiders include, but are not limited to:

• a professor
• your potential employer
• an expert in your field
• a person who holds the position you want at a different company.

Insiders may be able to tell you what a job entails, and what kind of person an employer is likely to hire.

If you decide to call insiders, it is essential for you to be kind and truthful at all times. Being kind will help you to avoid offending someone with whom you might work in the future. It is best for you to see each contact with a company as an opportunity to make a good impression.

When calling insiders, try to plan the flow of your conversation ahead of time.

• Start by explaining who you are and why you are calling.
• Ask questions that will facilitate an informative, friendly conversation.
• Write questions before calling to avoid a lull in the conversation.

Questions such as the following will help you to start an effective conversation:

• "What are the organization's goals/missions?"
• "What kind of person is your company looking for?"
• "What qualifications are most important for this position?"
• "Is there anyone else I can contact to learn more about your company?"
• "Is there anything you think someone with my experience should do to improve my qualifications?"

Try to keep the conversation rolling, and maintain a pleasant tone at all times. Also remember to thank your contact for speaking with you, even if he or she was unable to provide you with helpful information.

Read the organization's website

Another good way to do your audience analysis is by reading an organization's website.

Corporate/organization websites provide a good idea of what a company/organization values. Look for words that describe the company and its employees. Words repeated throughout the website reveal particularly important values. Some organization websites may even have a "Mission Statement" you can read to learn about what they want to achieve. Use the language on the website and in the missions statement to help guide your language in your cover letter.

Use college career centers

If you are in college, see what information is available at your university's career center. See if the university has any connections to this company. Career centers should have any information concerning upcoming visits of companies to career fairs. At Purdue University, the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) maintains a number of resources that are helpful for students looking for internships and jobs.

In addition, Purdue University offers a career Wiki here .

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Workshop - In-Person: Resume & Cover Letter Writing

Get noticed! Attend this in-person workshop to learn how to prepare a professional resume and cover letter that will uniquely communicate your career objectives, skills and education.

Writers Workshop

Cover Letters

Cover letters are often requested as part of job applications, typically alongside resumes, and serve to help persuade employers to offer you an interview. In many cases, the cover letter will serve as the “cover” (or first page) of your application materials and as your first impression and introduction to your potential future employer. As part of that introduction, it also gives your readers a concise sense of why you’re interested in the position and why you would be a good fit.

Because resumes and cover letters go hand-in-hand, it’s important to consider how they work together when an employer reviews your materials, which they’ll often do quickly, particularly if they’re receiving dozens or hundreds of applications. It’s also important to be strategic here to avoid simply repeating what’s listed on your resume, instead using your cover letter to highlight particular experiences and qualifications that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for. This can involve summarizing major relevant achievements as well as showcasing specific company knowledge. Finally, given the written and concise format of a cover letter, these documents also showcase your communication abilities and provide a writing sample of sorts to your potential employer.

Purpose/Objectives of Cover Letters:

Structure of a Cover Letter:

Cover letters are made up of three main sections: the opening paragraph, the body paragraphs, and the closing paragraph.  Cover letters also begin with an address where you put your contact information, and the company address, and a salutation. They end with a closing, where you use “sincerely” or “regards,” sign your name, and print your name.

The Opening Paragraph:

• Specifies position of interest
• Identifies source of information
• States the wish to be considered for the position
• Previews the rest of the letter
• Connects the position to skills and experiences
• Persuades the reader to continue to read the next paragraph

The Body Paragraph(s):

• Develops idea that experiences are well-suited to the position
• Elaborates on resume content with added detail
• Depicts yourself as a candidate who merits an interview
• Illustrates specific skills, responsibility, success, and meeting challenges
• Reinforces claims and proves skills

The Closing Paragraph:

• Indicates strong interest in the position
• “I will follow up with you by May 21st, 2020.”
• “I look forward to discussing my strengths further in an interview setting.”
• Avoids repetition
• Offers to provide additional information as needed
• Thanks the potential employer for time and consideration

Resources for Writing Cover Letters at UIUC:

Remember that you can always bring your cover letter drafts to the Writers Workshop! We also recommend taking a look at this cover letter template created by LAS Career Services .  For more examples of cover letters and additional tips, be sure to visit The Career Center at the University of Illinois .

Related Links:

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Cover Letter Workshop (Remote)

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DESCRIPTION: Not sure how to write your Cover Letter? In this workshop, you will learn: • The purpose of writing a cover letter • How to compose each paragraph • How to tailor your cover letter to the job description

ASPIRE & INSPIRE PROGRAMS: This is a recommended workshop as part of STEP 2. PLAN & PREPARE of the ASPIRE & INSPIRE Programs. Upon completion of your program, you will earn a digital certification badge!

Not only will the program help you improve your qualifications for internships & jobs, but the badge will look great on your LinkedIn profile and resume.

NOTE: You must complete all required workshops & assessments to qualify for the digital badge.

To review the program and your progress, visit: http://www.pace.edu/csresources

LOCATION: * This workshop is virtual

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Career Services Student Success and Well-Being

Drop-In hours will return for the Summer Semester on Wednesday, May 15 .

• Resumes and Cover Letters

Your resume represents you when you aren’t there. It is your professional “snapshot”. Your resume determines if you get an interview, and interview determines if you get a job. Take the time to do your resume right! Creating a resume is a process; don’t expect a perfect resume on your first try.

We can help! Attend our workshops for the basics on resume and cover letter writing. Get ideas from the hundreds of different sample resumes available in our career library. Have a staff member critique your resume for content, formatting and accuracy, no appointment necessary!

What is a Resume?

• Your resume is a summary of your education and experiences . It should be focused on what is relevant to your industry.
• Chronological resumes have educational and employment history organized by date. This resume works well for students who have related experiences within their field.
• Functional resumes focus on skill sets gained through a variety of activities, such as educational course work, clubs and organizations, as well as internships and volunteer work. This resume format works best for students lacking relevant work experience or changing careers.
• Combination resumes are a combination of the chronological resume and functional resume. It focuses on skill sets, but also lists employment history. These types of resumes are most commonly used for someone who wants to change their career path entirely or have limited experience .
• Send your resume with a cover letter, in response to a specific position.
• Keep it current! List your most recent accomplishments so the interviewer knows what you are capable of doing now.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread; ensure there are no grammatical errors.
• Don’t be modest! This is your chance to shine, you are competing for this position!

Drop-in Resume Critique

Once you have completed a draft of your resume, you should ask at least one other person to review it before submitting it to a prospective employer. Our peer advisors are available during drop-in hours to critique a hard copy of your resume. Please plan to attend a Resume workshop before coming in for your critique.

What is a Cover Letter?

Cover Letters introduce you and your resume to prospective employers. The content of a cover letter can be broken down into three basic parts:

• Introduction: Why are you contacting this person? How did you learn about the job? Who are you? What do you know about their organization (research)?
• Body: How can you benefit them? Tell how you are an ideal match for the job. Expand on relevant education, skills, and experience to offer additional details not found on your resume.
• Conclusion: Focus on the next step: the interview! Thank the reader for their time and consideration. Request an interview to further discuss your qualifications.

General Tips for Professional Correspondence:

• Your correspondence should be professional (content and format)
• Ensure there are no mistakes (typos, misspellings, factual errors)
• Always limit correspondence to one page
• Be sure to sign any correspondence
• Majors and Careers
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Baruch College Writing Center

Cover Letters Workshop Lesson Plan (Online Adaptation)

Learning goals.

At the close of the Cover Letters workshop, students will be able to:

• Write a cover letter that demonstrates understanding of the genre and meets audience expectations for content, form, and tone
• Close read a job description and tailor their skills and background accordingly
• Make strategic choices about what to include in a cover letter, demonstrating understanding of the function of each paragraph
• Draw on a variety of sentence structures to describe themselves and their skills
• Understand key differences between cover letters and resumes

For facilitators

Facilitator slides

For students

Student slides

Handout 1: Front Desk Attendant wanted

Handout 2: Cover letter for Front Desk position

Handout 3: Sentence structures used in cover letters

Handout 4: Cover letter for Audit Intern position

Handout 5 : Selected job ads (1-5)

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Resume and Cover Letter Workshop

Learn how to effectively create or revise two of the fundamental tools for conducting a job search in the current market. Resume and cover letter workshops convene April 15, May 13, June 26, July 17, August 12, September 9, September 30, October 23, November 11 and Decembner 11, 2024.

After you have  registered , you will receive an emailed link the day of the event, allowing you access to the workshop you have registered for. 

Register Today!

Career Services: Be “Job Fair Ready” with Brainfuse JobNow

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The NYPL Job Fair and Expo is happening soon! Now is the perfect time to update your resume. Come to this in-person workshop to learn more about online resources that are available to you at anytime that can assist you in updating your resume, finalize your cover letter, and brush up on your interview skills!

Registration for this workshop is required, and can be done here .

If you would like to register for the NYPL Job Fair and Expo, happening on May 17th, 2024, click here .

Get More From Career Services at NYPL

Find essential professional development support, resources, webinars, and events for job seekers and professionals looking to craft an effective professional portfolio to enhance their career. NYPL’s Career Services team offers FREE virtual and in-person support to help you achieve your career or employment goals, which include coaching, resume or cover letter writing, job application support, and career development events. If you have questions about these offerings, please contact us: [email protected]

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Resumes, cover letters, and Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) are often an employer’s first impression of your skills and your value-added factor. As you craft each of these documents, you are creating a personal brand that will precede your face-to-face interaction with an employer.

As you draft these documents, keep the job description at the forefront of your mind. Make sure you emphasize experiences in your resume and examples in your cover letter that are consistent with the desired skills to fulfill the company's next hire.

The quality of your documents can help determine whether you get to the next step – the interview.

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Email [email protected]  with your document (Resume/CV/Cover Letter/LinkedIn profile) and get feedback within 5-7 business days.

Resume Workshop

Learn how to develop a strategic resume that will effectively demonstrate that you possess the skills your target audience is looking for. Find out the key principle of crafting a strong resume and how you can best put your accomplishments in writing.

Cover Letter Workshop

Learn how to create a compelling cover letter that highlights both your personal and professional "fit" and works with your resume to set you apart from other candidates. 

The Basics of a Strategic, Branded Resume

There is an abundance of information about writing resumes. There are different styles of resumes, different industry standards, and individual preferences - there is no "one size fits all" approach to developing a resume. Regardless of the design or format you choose, there are three key principles we suggest you follow to most strongly connect with your audience & demonstrate that you have the skills, traits and characteristics they seek.

Write resumes specifically for the position to which you are applying. In other words, do not mass produce your resume. Someone with no knowledge of the job you are applying for should be able to look at your resume and guess the type of role you are after.

Your resume must effectively showcase the value you can add to an organization, as opposed to simply highlighting past duties or tasks. Ask yourself, what do I want the reader to know about me? How can I articulate my past experiences to demonstrate what I accomplished and what I have the ability to do? The goal is to quantify or qualify your contributions using impactful statements which speak to your accomplishments.

Easy-to-Review

It is reported that the average time spent initally screening a resume is 30 seconds. The information on your document must be error-free, clearly & logically presented and allow the reader to easily understand your "value proposition" (the value you will bring to the organization given your skills, capabilities & experiences). You want to stand out from other candidates in a positive way.

Download Real Resume Examples

Accounting position.

Alumni applying to Porter Airlines with a unique travel section

Engineer-in-Training

PhD with international and field-specific experience

Team Leader

Undergraduate with management experience applying to retail industry

Financial Customer Service Rep

Grouping experiences by relevant skills

Microsoft Intern

Undergraduate with strong summary section

Alumni with strong profile statement

Pharmaceutical Sales

Undergraduate< who highlights relevant skills in a unique way

Senior Scientist

Graduate student who includes past relevant experience well

Social Services Worker

Skill headings and relevant accomplishment statements done well

Software Developer

Undergraduate with no work experience markets academic experience

Technology Consultant

One-page business resume

Young Professionals Program - World Bank 

PhD uses hybrid resume/ cv with unique headings

The Basics of a Good Cover Letter

People often wonder if they need to create a cover letter for every position they apply to. If indicated as a requirement, then definitely include one. You should create a cover letter that is just as strong as your resume. To create a competitive cover letter, you should:

• Address the letter to a specific person by name and title
• Match the font style and size to your resume
• Show that you have taken time to research the company and the position
• Highlight your specific experiences or skills that match what the employer is seeking - telling your story in a way that hasn’t been captured by your resume
• Focus on how you can benefit the company, not how they can benefit you
• Proofread your letter and ask someone else to read it as well. Use your cover letter as an example of your written communication skills.

Cover Letter Template

Download real cover letter examples.

PhD student applying to the Ontario Science Centre

Summer Internship

Undergraduate student applying to major retail outlet

Business Analyst

Undergraduate Medical Sciences student applying for summer position

Business Technology Analyst

Undergraduate student applying to Deloitte

Actuarial Program

Undergraduate student applying to Sun Life

Assistant Professor

PhD graduate applying for academic position

Graduate student applying to Ministry of Transportation

Junior Engineer

Master's student applying to COWI

Office Assistant

Undergraduate student applying for administrative role

Quality Assurance Intern

Student applying for summer position

Sales Associate

Undergraduate student applying to part-time position

The Basics of a Good CV

Curriculum Vitae, derived from Latin and meaning “course of life”, is often referred to simply as a CV or vita. Like a resume, it is a summary of your skills, experience, and education, however, it contains more detail and is often longer than two pages. CVs are often the required documents to apply for graduate school, and scientific research and academic positions. There are no specific guidelines for how you should organize your experiences or the information you choose to include. In fact, many students today are exercising their creativity and developing their own CV styles to differentiate themselves from other candidates.

A few extra points to consider:

• The basics of resume writing still apply to your CV
• Examine CVs from individuals just above your stage of professional development
• Other countries may prefer certain formats and may require additional information

Download Real CV Examples

Academic position.

PhD highlighting research, teaching, & communication experience

Professional Position

Traditional style CV used for professional role in academia

Non-Academic Role

Two-page CV  highlighting skills and academic experience

PhD highlighting field-specific experience

Master's Application

Undergraduate student applying for Master's program

Summer Field Internship

Application for academic summer internship

Summer Research Assistant

Undergrad applying for summer research position

Having good references can “make or break” your opportunity for a job offer or admission to grad school. Choose your references carefully, considering who can best verify your skills and qualifications. Confirm your references in advance so they’re ready when needed. References may be requested in either written or verbal form. Here's some information on how to ask your professor for a recommendation .

Reference Template

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Careers & Experience

Employer Relations

Workshop Controller CV example

Workshop Controller jobs are extremely rewarding, but it can be tough to land one in today’s market.

This guide contains an example Workshop Controller CV and plenty of tips on how to create your own winning CV, so you can stand out amongst the other candidates and get the job you want.

Guide contents

Workshop Controller CV example

• CV layout and format
• Your CV profile
• Work experience

Education section

CV templates 

This is a good example of a Workshop Controller CV which contains all of the information that a hiring manager will need to know, and presents it in a well- structured, easy-to-read manner.

Take some time to study and understand this CV, and refer to it throughout the writing of your own CV for best results.

Workshop Controller CV layout and format

Recruiters and employers are busy, and if they can’t find the information they’re looking for in a few seconds, it could be game over for your application.

You need to format and structure your CV in a way which allows the reader to pick out your key information with ease, even if they’re strapped for time.

It should be clear, easily legible, well-organised and scannable – check out some simple tips and tricks below:

Formatting advice

• Length: Recruiters will be immediately put off by lengthy CVs – with hundreds of applications to read through, they simply don’t have the time! Grabbing their attention with a short, snappy and highly relevant CV is far more likely to lead to success. Aim for two sides of A4 or less.
• Readability : Make sure your CV is easy to read and looks professional by applying some simple formatting tricks. Bullet points are great for making large paragraphs more digestible, while formatting your headings with bold or coloured text will help the reader to find the information they need, with speed.
• Design: Don’t waste time adding fancy designs to your CV. It generally adds no value to your application and may even end up distracting recruiters away from the important written content.
• Avoid photos: Ditch logos, images or profile photos. Not only do they take up valuable space, but they may even distract recruiters from your important written content.

CV structure

When writing your own CV , break up your CV content into the following key sections:

• Name and contact details – Place them at the top of your CV, so that employers can easily get in touch.
• CV profile – A punchy sales pitch of your key experience, skills and achievements to reel readers in.
• Core skills section – A bullet-pointed snapshot of your abilities.
• Work experience – A well-structured list of your relevant work experience.
• Education – An overview of any relevant qualifications or professional training you have.
• Hobbies and interests – A short description of any relevant hobbies or interests (optional).

Now I’ll tell you exactly what you should include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Make it easy for recruiters to get in touch, by heading your CV with your contact details.

There’s no need for excessive details – just list the basics:

• Mobile number
• Email address – Use a professional address with no nicknames.
• Location – Just write your general location, such as ‘London’ or ‘Cardiff’ – there’s no need to put your full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL

Workshop Controller CV Profile

Your CV profile is basically a short introductory paragraph, which summarises your key selling points and highlights why you’d make a good hire.

So, write a well-rounded summary of what you do, what your key skills are, and what relevant experience you have.

It needs to be short, snappy and punchy and, ultimately, entice the reader to read the rest of your CV.

Tips for creating an strong CV profile:

• Keep it concise: Aim for a short, snappy paragraph of 3-5 lines. This is just enough room to showcase why you’d make the perfect hire, without going into excessive detail and overwhelming busy recruiters.
• Tailor it: Recruiters can spot a generic, mass-produced CV at a glance – and they certainly won’t be impressed! Before you write your profile (and CV as a whole), read through the job advert and make a list of any skills, knowledge and experience required. You should then incorporate your findings throughout your profile and the rest of your CV.
• Don’t add an objective: If you want to discuss your career objectives, save them for your cover letter , rather than wasting valuable CV profile space.
• Avoid cliches: If there’s one thing that’ll annoy a recruiter, it’s a clichè-packed CV. Focus on showcasing your hard skills, experience and the results you’ve gained in previous roles, which will impress recruiters far more.

What to include in your Workshop Controller CV profile?

• Summary of experience: Start with a brief summary of your relevant experience so far. How many years experience do you have? What type of companies have you worked for? What industries/sectors have you worked in? What are your specialisms?
• Relevant skills: Employers need to know what skills you can bring to their organisation, and ideally they want to see skills that match their job vacancy. So, research your target roles thoroughly and add the most important Workshop Controller skills to your profile.
• Essential qualifications: Be sure to outline your relevant Workshop Controller qualifications, so that anyone reading the CV can instantly see you are qualified for the jobs you are applying to.

Quick tip: If spelling and grammar are not a strong point of yours, Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written content that has been created by recruitment experts, and proofread by our team.

Core skills section

Underneath your profile, create a core skills section to make your most relevant skills jump off the page at readers.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points of your relevant skills.

Before you do this, look over the job description and make a list of any specific skills, specialisms or knowledge required.

Then, make sure to use your findings in your list. This will paint you as the perfect match for the role.

Work experience/Career history

Now it’s time to get stuck into your work experience, which should make up the bulk of your CV.

Begin with your current (or most recent) job, and work your way backwards.

If you’ve got too much experience to fit onto two pages, prioritise space for your most recent and relevant roles.

Structuring your roles

Your work experience section will be long, so it’s important to structure it in a way which helps recruiters to quickly and easily find the information they need.

Use the 3-step structure, shown in the below example, below to achieve this.

Start with a solid introduction to your role as a whole, in order to build some context.

Explain the nature of the organisation you worked for, the size of the team you were part of, who you reported to and what the overarching purpose of your job was.

Key responsibilities

Next up, you should write a short list of your day-to-day duties within the job.

Recruiters are most interested in your sector-specific skills and knowledge, so highlight these wherever possible.

Key achievements

Round up each role by listing 1-3 key achievements , accomplishments or results.

Wherever possible, quantify them using hard facts and figures, as this really helps to prove your value.

At the bottom of your CV is your full education section. You can list your formal academic qualifications, such as:

• GCSE’s

As well as any specific Workshop Controller qualifications that are essential to the jobs you are applying for. Note down the name of the qualification, the organisation at which you studied, and the date of completion.

Interests and hobbies

Although this is an optional section, it can be useful if your hobbies and interests will add further depth to your CV.

Interests which are related to the sector you are applying to, or which show transferable skills like leadership or teamwork, can worth listing.

On the other hand, generic hobbies like “going out with friends” won’t add any value to your application, so are best left off your CV.

Writing your Workshop Controller CV

A strong, compelling CV is essential to get noticed and land interviews with the best employers.

To ensure your CV stands out from the competition, make sure to tailor it to your target role and pack it with sector-specific skills and results.

Remember to triple-check for spelling and grammar errors before hitting send.

Good luck with the job search!