Resume and Cover Letter Checklists

Resume Checklist

Is 100% honest.
Free of grammatical and spelling errors.
Presents your most important information first.
Emphasizes your assets and avoids information that might eliminate you from consideration.
Is brief, concise and easy to read.
Format is consistent and visually attractive.
Do not list your references on your resume.
Do not exceed one page if you have a bachelor’s degree and two pages for master’s degree.

Include name, address, phone number, email, and LinkedIn or professional website (optional).
Use professional voicemail and conservative email address.

Eliminate personal pronouns such as “I” and “my.”
Include biggest professional selling points: highest job title or degree, years of relevant experience, and main responsibilities or achievements.

Include institution, city, state, degree, major, minor, concentration.
Use graduation date or expected graduation date in month and year format.
If applicable, include scholarships, honors, awards, special training and relevant courses.

Provide the organization's name, city, state and dates of employment (month and year).
Include relevant full-time, part-time, internships and volunteer work.
Use bullet points and avoid first person pronouns.
Utilize strong, descriptive action verbs to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.
Use past tense for ALL employment experiences, or use present tense action words for present jobs and past tense action words for past experiences.
Include numbers and percentages to quantify experiences wherever possible.

If applicable, include languages and fluency level.
If applicable, include laboratory skills, equipment skills, computer/programing skills.
Name software programs you are proficient in.
If applicable, include certifications, licenses, and relevant achievements.

Use the same heading as your resume.
Include submission date.
Address letter to specific person if possible or to “hiring manager.”
Do not rewrite what you have on your resume.
Identify what position you are applying for, and the reason you are sending the letter.
Describe how you heard of the opening.
Identify one or two of your strongest qualifications and how these skills apply to the job.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the company.
Free from grammatical and spelling errors.
Do not exceed one page.

State the purpose for writing including name of position.
Tell how you heard of the opening or organization. Add who referred you if applicable.
Tell why you want to apply for this job and why you are interested in this position.

Summarize your qualifications which you think would be of greatest interest to the employer.
This should respond directly to the job description and include examples that are related to the position you are applying for.
Cite relevant education, leadership experience, projects, assignments, organizations.

State your interest in their organization, position and/or type of work.
Describe why you would like to work for their company based on their mission, values and projects.
Do your research on the company.

Express your appreciation for being considered for this position.
Thank them for taking the time to review your resume and application.
Let them know that you are looking forward to the next step in the process and the opportunity to meet with them for an interview.
Give them your contact information and how you can be reached if they have any questions or need further information.

Email careerservicesFREEWEST_VALLEY to set up an appointment to review your resume and/or cover letter.