Resumes, Cover Letters & CVs – American Institute of Extended Studies (AIES)

Build Your Professional Image

Your resume, cover letter, and CV are critical tools in presenting your qualifications, accomplishments, and skills to potential employers. At AIES, we’re here to help you craft polished, professional documents that make an impact. Below are some key tips and guidelines to help you create standout applications.

Resumes

A resume is a concise summary of your education, skills, and experience designed to catch an employer’s attention quickly. Keep these essential writing and formatting tips in mind:

Writing & Formatting

Ensure the design is neat, balanced, and easy to read, with consistent formatting.
Resumes are typically one page, but can extend to two pages if necessary.
Prioritize information based on the position. List categories in order of importance and use reverse chronological order for experiences.
Focus on accomplishments and skills developed, rather than listing duties. This demonstrates your value more effectively.
Use active verbs to begin each bullet point and key words from the job description.
Keep details concise, relevant, and bulleted to make them easier for employers to scan.
Avoid using personal pronouns like “I” or “my.”
Margins should be consistent, between 0.5 to 1 inch all around.
Use font sizes between 10-12 for the main text, and conservative fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Tahoma.
Proofread thoroughly for errors, and if printing, use resume paper for a professional touch. If submitting electronically, save as a PDF to preserve formatting.

Information to Include

Name, contact information (address, phone, email), links to portfolios or LinkedIn.
Education, work experience, internships, volunteer activities.
Skills, certifications, and relevant honors or awards.
Leadership roles, club memberships, and service activities.

Do NOT Include

Personal information like age, marital status, or photo.
Social Security number, salary expectations, or reasons for leaving a job.
Hobbies (unless relevant to the position).
References (provide separately if requested).

Cover Letters

A cover letter offers the opportunity to expand on your resume by detailing how your skills and experiences align with the job description. It should briefly connect your qualifications with the company’s needs and provide specific examples of your abilities.

Cover Letters vs. Letters of Qualification

A cover letter is typically one page and provides additional context to your resume.
A letter of qualification directly addresses each requirement in the job description and can be longer.

Writing & Formatting

Tailor each cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for.
Demonstrate how your skills meet the company’s needs with specific examples.
Use keywords from the job description but ensure the letter is clear and understandable.
Avoid informal language and maintain a professional tone.
Proofread carefully to avoid errors, and use a standard business letter format.
Use the same font as your resume. If submitting electronically, save as a PDF.

CVs (Curriculum Vitae)

A CV is a comprehensive document that provides a detailed overview of your academic and professional accomplishments. It is commonly used in academic, research, or international job applications and is typically longer than a resume.

What is a CV?

A CV is more detailed than a resume and not limited by length.
It is used primarily in higher education, research positions, and internationally. Ensure you are familiar with the specific requirements for the country or institution you’re applying to.

Writing & Formatting

Organize categories in order of importance to the position and list experiences chronologically.
Focus on accomplishments and quantify results whenever possible (e.g., “Increased efficiency by 30%”).
Use conservative fonts and maintain 0.7-1 inch margins for a professional appearance.
Avoid jargon and overuse of acronyms, especially if applying internationally.
Accurately cite publications and use the correct style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago).

Items to Include

Contact information, education, research, and teaching experiences.
Publications, projects, conferences attended or presented at.
Skills (e.g., languages, technical abilities), academic honors, fellowships, and grants.
Service activities and memberships in professional organizations.

How to Get Started

Choose the Right Format

Decide whether you need a resume, cover letter, or CV based on the job or opportunity you’re applying for. For most job applications, a resume and cover letter will suffice. A CV is typically used for academic or research positions.

Gather Your Information

Collect your education, work experiences, internships, volunteer activities, skills, and achievements. For a CV, include additional details like publications, presentations, and research experiences.

Follow the Guidelines

Use the formatting and writing tips provided above to structure your document. Make sure your resume or CV is concise, easy to read, and logically organized.

Tailor Your Content

Customize your resume, CV, or cover letter to the specific job or role you’re applying for. Highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to the position and use key words from the job description.

Proofread Multiple Times

Carefully review your document to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Having a second set of eyes review your work is always helpful!

Save and Send

When your documents are ready, save them as a PDF to preserve formatting, and you’re ready to submit your application.

Get Started Today!

Build Documents That Shine

For help with creating or polishing your resume, cover letter, or CV, be sure to explore our Resume & CV Resources for tips and examples. These resources will guide you in crafting professional documents that make a lasting impression on potential employers.