Resumes and Cover Letters

When you apply for a job or internship your resume and cover letter are often the first impression an employer will have of you. Here is some information to help make them as strong as possible.

Resume Basics

A resume is a very important tool for your job search. This information will help you understand different types of resumes, and help you decide what to include in your resume. There are also sample resume headings and key action verbs for your use.

The Ultimate Guide to Resumes and Cover Letters - Want to know the rules of resume writing? This tells you what information to include and convey in your resume and everything you need to know about creating a strong cover letter.
Match your resume to a job description
Action Verbs - words to start your bullet points and get an employer's attention

Wisedoc software

Career Services is partnering with a new resume and cover letter software company called Wisedoc. Wisedoc is an AI-powered resume development service available at no cost to all current university students, staff, and faculty. Wisedoc guides you from start to finish with simple tips and effective tools to guide you in writing an impressive resume and cover letter.

Using Wisedoc, you can:

Create master documents and easily tailor them for each job application.
Optimize your documents for ATS, increasing your chances of getting to the top of the pile and getting interviewed.
Use the AI to compare your resume to a job listing and get suggestions to tailor more accurately.
Get your documents reviewed by a university career advisor without having to wait for an appointment.

How to login

Go to https://docs.wisedoc.net/signin-with-institution
Enter your nwmissouri.edu email in the field.
You’ll be taken to the University’s SSO page to enter your password.

Need Help?

We encourage all Wisedoc users to watch the helpful tutorial on Wisedoc’s YouTube page. It covers:

Creating Your First Resume
Resume Customization
AI Resume Review
One-Click AI Cover Letter Creation for every job you apply
AI Cover Letter Review
Requesting Resume Review from Advisors
Short Summary

Login problems? Contact the Wisedoc Help Desk at support@wisedoc.net

Resume vs CV

A resume is a brief and tailored summary of your past work, education, etc. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a more complete synopsis. CVs are typically used for applications for academic, research, or scholarly positions. They are also frequently used outside the United States and may be requested if you are applying for a job overseas.

CV resources:

Cover Letters

Written correspondence throughout your job search demonstrates your communication abilities to potential employers as well as your perspective and professionalism. It is important to prepare all correspondence carefully including cover letters and thank you letters.

The Ultimate Guide to Resumes and Cover Letters

References

It is important to include a reference page with your resume. This should be on a separate page, and should include contact information, the same heading as your resume or name and address as a minimum.

Sample Reference Page - It is important to create a heading on your reference page showing your name and contact information. Three to five names are adequate and it is helpful to have some variation in their relationship to you, i.e. a professor, a past employer, etc.

Resume Samples

Sample Number	Sample Name	Features
1	Double Major	Double major Computer technical skills
2	How to Show Education	Sample education sections Multiple majors or degrees, same or different institutions Self-financing or contributing to education Research/independent study Show GPA Transfer students Study abroad, internships Associate degree
3	Agriculture Major	Agricultural related experiences Field experiences Internships Certifications Language skills Activities Family farm background
4	Broadcast Major	Related on campus experiences Related technical/computer skills Foreign language skills
5	Computer Science Major	Expanded technical/computer skills Computer Lab Assistant Web development Programming Undergraduate research projects
6	Education major	Student teaching and practica experiences Related activities
7	Graphic Design Major	Knactive Involvement Creative elements Social media icons
8	Interactive Digital Media Major	Summary of skills Market program description to perspective employers Related experiences Two distinct Bachelor degrees
9	International Computer Science Major	Show Master and Bachelor Expanded technical/computer skills Related technical experience Honors and awards

Help from Career Services

Staff members are available to critique application materials (examples – resume, cover letter, vitae). Stop by the Career Services office Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 4 PM.