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Build Your Resume

How to Build Out Your Resume

As a college student, you may find that your resume lacks the experience you want to convey to a future employer. Here are some tips on building your resume with experiences, making connections, and volunteerism.

Students after volunteering packing lunches for children

Get involved on campus

Potential employers and graduate programs look favorably at involvement in college outside of the classroom. Participate in the SGA. Serve as an Orientation Leader or Resident Assistant. Become a tutor. Assist faculty with research and projects. Participate in community service. 


Bottom line? Get Involved!
Student at job fair

Build a career network

Good networking skills are critical to finding a job. Access the networking opportunities offered through WVU Tech. These include attending company information sessions on campus, career fairs, and other events sponsored by academic programs or Career & Professional Development.

Student presenting senior design project

Establish work experiences

Internships, co-ops, and summer jobs help build relevant work experience critical to finding employment in today’s job market. 

Volunteer

Volunteer!

Build leadership, teamwork, and other important life skills that will assist you in developing career direction and citizenship by volunteering. Career & Professional Development can connect you with nonprofit organizations that need help, or you can come out to the many opportunities for community service offered through Service and Learning.

Resources and Samples

It's up to you to ensure your resume reflects your target industry's standards.

Every company has a standard set of criteria recruiters must use when screening applicants—GPA minimums, proficiency in specific software, etc.—but most recruiters also have the preferences that help them differentiate between candidates with similar academic and professional experiences. The way you format your resume, how far in the past the experience section goes, and how compelling your summary is all evaluated subjectively. Preferences can also vary from industry to industry.

Resume Resources  

Cover Letter Resources

Sample Curriculum Vitae (CV) Template  PDF Word
Cover Letter Template Explained
Sample Cover Letter PDF   Word

Resume Templates by Major



Accounting PDF Word
Adventure Recreation Management PDF Word
Aviation Management PDF Word
Business Management  PDF Word
Criminal Justice  PDF Word
Forensic Investigation  PDF Word
Health Services Administration  PDF Word
History and Government PDF Word
Psychology  PDF Word
Public Service Administration  PDF Word
Regents Bachelor of Arts  PDF Word
Sport Management  PDF Word
Nursing PDF Word

Student Athlete PDF Word
Freshman Resume PDF Word
Aerospace Engineering - Coming Soon
Biology PDF Word
Chemical Engineering PDF Word
Chemistry - Coming Soon
Civil Engineering - PDF Word
Computer Engineering - Coming Soon
Computer Science - Coming Soon
Construction Management - Coming Soon
Electrical Engineering PDF Word
Electrical Engineering Technology - Coming Soon
Engineering Technology - Coming Soon
Industrial Technology - Coming Soon
Information Systems - Coming Soon
Mathematics - Coming Soon
Mechanical Engineering PDF Word

Tips for Writing Better Bullets

Recruiters spend an average of 10 seconds or less reviewing each resume, meaning you only have 10 seconds to win them over. They want to know how you contributed to your previous employers, what specific improvements you made, and other quantifiable information

You can maximize your chances of getting through the screening process with these tips for writing more compelling job summaries.

  • Instead of listing what tasks you completed: Managed social media accounts
  • List what you accomplished: Created and managed Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for      the company, which resulted in a five percent increase in revenue over three months
  • Instead of being open-ended: Helped manage children at a summer camp
  • Be specific: Managed over 250 children, ages five to fourteen, at a week-long day camp.
  • Instead of being vague: Communicated with clients and worked to achieve their needs
  • Provide specific examples: Communicated levels and grades of drainage structures to achieve "excellent" customer satisfaction ratings
  • Instead of being subjective: Experienced verbal communicator
  • List items objectively: Delivered ten Ignite-style presentations to audiences ranging from 10-100 individuals on the topics of ethics in the workplace.