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Resumes, Cover Letters and References

AI TIPS for Resumes and Cover Letters

Your resume and cover letter should concisely highlight your career goals, education, field experiences, work experiences, activities, special skills and accomplishments in a manner that will market you effectively for the particular position you are pursuing. For more information about resumes, cover letters, and references, please refer to the Career Readiness Guide.

You might be asking "Wait, can I use AI for my resume?" The answer is yes, but you should absolutely be thoughtful about how you use it.

AI is a great resource for brainstorming, making short and long term plans and checklists, re-wording bullet points, and more. Here are a few ways we recommend using AI in your job search.

  • Discovering Job Boards and Resources
    • Prompt AI to list niche job boards, employer directories, and remote work platforms.
    • Example prompt: "Find Chicago-based nonprofit job boards for entry-level roles."
  • AI and Networking Opportunities
    • Using AI to find professional organizations, LinkedIn groups, and local events.
    • AI-assisted outreach: Generating first drafts of networking messages, then personalizing them.
  • AI for Job Fairs and Events
    • How AI can generate lists of upcoming job fairs, both local and virtual.
    • Draft elevator speeches to try out with employers at the College-to-Career Expo.

Resume

A resume is a one to two-page document that highlights a job seekers experiences and qualifications for employers of interest. It is an employer's first impression of you so it is important that the document concisely highlight your career goals, education, field experiences, work experiences, activities, special skills and accomplishments in a manner that will market you effectively. You only get one shot to make a good first impression! Schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center through Navigate to review your document before sending it to an employer.

Do's and Don'ts of AI in Career Tools

Do Don't
Use AI for ideas, structure, and research. Copy/paste without reviewing.
Cross-check AI suggestions with real-world job postings and advisor feedback. Misrepresent your experience.

Ethics and Authenticity

Employers value authentic voices and real examples.

Avoid letting AI erase your personality or exaggerate your skills.

Resume Templates

  • New to the Workforce/No Work Experience Resume
    If you are just beginning your career and have no work or volunteer experience, consider using this resume format. (Template)
  • Entry Level/Some Work Experience Resume
    If you have some work experience, which may or may not apply to the position you're seeking, try one of these. (Template 1; Template 2)
  • Standard Experience-based Resume
    For most applicants, with two or more work experiences, these options should prove as good starting points. (Template 1; Template 2)

Major Specific Resume Templates

Some majors have specific needs/layout elements that should be considered. Here are some examples of major-specific resume templates.

Handshake provides students with helpful resources and tips for developing employment documents such as Resumes including How to Create a Student or New Graduate Resume.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that introduces yourself and your resume to an employer. This document highlights your skills, experience, and education and encourages the reader to read your resume. An original cover letter should be written for each position you apply and highlight your most significant qualities as it relates to the position you are applying.

Cover Letter Formatting

Handshake also provides students with helpful resources and tips for developing employment documents such as Cover Letters including a Free Cover Letter Template for Students and New Graduates.

References

A reference page is a list of professional individuals who can attest to your skills, experiences, and qualifications for a position.

References Template

References Page Template (PDF/DOCX)