Resumes & cover letters

adapted, analyzed, applied, assembled, budgeted, built, calculated, computed, conserved, constructed, converted, correlated, debugged, designed, determined, developed, devised, engineered, fabricated, financed, fortified, handled, inspected, installed, maintained, operated, overhauled, printed, programmed, rectified, regulated, remodeled, repaired, replaced, resolved, restored, solved, specialized, standardized, studied, trained, upgraded, utilized

adapted, advised, assessed, clarified, coached, communicated, conducted, coordinated, critiqued, defined, demonstrated, developed, educated, enabled, encouraged, evaluated, explained, facilitated, focused, guided, illustrated, individualized, informed, initiated, instilled, instructed, lectured, mentored, motivated, persuaded, planned, presented, set goals, simulated, stimulated, taught, tested, trained, transmitted, tutored, updated

adjusted, administered, allocated, analyzed, appraised, assessed, audited, balanced, budgeted, calculated, compared, computed, conserved, corrected, determined, developed, estimated, forecasted, managed, marketed, measured, netted, planned, prepared, programmed, projected, qualified, reconciled, reduced, reevaluated, researched, retrieved, sold

acted, adapted, applied, authored, began, built, combined, composed, conceived, conceptualized, condensed, constructed, created, customized, designed, developed, directed, displayed, drew, entertained, established, estimated, fashioned, forecasted, formed, formulated, founded, generated, illustrated, initiated, integrated, introduced, invented, investigated, launched, loaded, modeled, modified, molded, originated, perceived, performed, photographed, piloted, planned, presented, produced, proposed, refined, researched, revised, revitalized, rewrote, set up, shaped, solved, studied, updated

adapted, advised, advocated, aided, answered, arranged, assessed, assisted, brought, cared for, clarified, coached, collaborated, coordinated, contributed, cooperated, counseled, dealt, demonstrated, diagnosed, directed, educated, encouraged, ensured, expedited, facilitated, familiarized, furthered, guided, helped, influenced, inspired, insured, intervened, led, maintained, mentored, modified, motivated, performed, prevented, provided, referred, rehabilitated, represented, resolved, served, simplified, supplied, supported, upheld, volunteered

achieved, administered, allocated, analyzed, appointed, approved, arranged, assembled, assigned, attained, authorized, awarded, chaired, completed, conducted, considered, consolidated, contracted, controlled, converted, coordinated, correlated, decided, delegated, designated, determined, developed, directed, disapproved, discharged, eliminated, emphasized, encouraged, enforced, engineered, enhanced, established, evaluated, executed, expanded, generated, governed, handled, headed, hired, hosted, implemented, improved, incorporated, increased, initiated, inspected, inspired, instituted, launched, led, maintained, managed, merged, motivated, navigated, organized, outlined, overhauled, oversaw, planned, prepared, presided, prioritized, procured, produced, provided, recommended, reevaluated, regulated, rejected, reorganized, replaced, reported, required, restored, reviewed, scheduled, secured, selected, settled, signed, solved, specified, sponsored, stipulated, streamlined, strengthened, supervised, terminated

addressed, advertised, arbitrated, arranged, articulated, authored, called, circulated, clarified, coached, collaborated, communicated, composed, condensed, conferred, consulted, contacted, conveyed, convinced, corresponded, counseled, debated, defined, demonstrated, described, developed, directed, edited, elicited, emphasized, enlisted, explained, expressed, facilitated, formulated, furnished, incorporated, influenced, informed, interacted, interpreted, interviewed, involved, joined, judged, lectured, listened, marketed, mediated, moderated, motivated, negotiated, notified, observed, oriented, outlined, participated, persuaded, presented, promoted, proofread, proposed, publicized, published, purposed, recommended, reconciled, recruited, redirected, referred, reinforced, related, renegotiated, reported, represented, researched, resolved, responded, reunited, showed, solicited, specified, spoke, suggested, summarized, synthesized, translated, transmitted, tutored, wrote

analyzed, clarified, coded, collected, compared, conceived, conducted, contrasted, critiqued, detected, determined, diagnosed, disproved, evaluated, examined, experimented, explored, extracted, formulated, gathered, identified, inquired, inspected, interpreted, interviewed, invented, investigated, located, measured, organized, remodeled, repaired, reported, researched, reviewed, searched, solved, studied, summarized, surveyed, systematized, tested, wrote

activated, altered, assembled, approved, arranged, catalogued, classified, collected, coordinated, described, dispatched, edited, estimated, executed, gathered, generated, implemented, inspected, listed, maintained, monitored, observed, operated, organized, overhauled, prepared, processed, proofread, published, purchased, recorded, reduced, retrieved, screened, specified, streamlined, systematized, tabulated, validated

approved, arranged, assembled, catalogued, categorized, charted, classified, coded, collected, compiled, completed, conducted, controlled, corrected, correlated, corresponded, determined, dispatched, distributed, eliminated, engineered, executed, expanded, filed, generated, implemented, incorporated, inspected, logged, maintained, monitored, obtained, operated, ordered, organized, prepared, processed, procured, provided, purchased, recorded, registered, reserved, responded, retrieved, reviewed, routed, scheduled, screened, set up, solved, sorted, standardized, submitted, supplied, systematized, tabulated, updated, validated, verified

accurate (in), adept (in, at), advanced (knowledge of), alert (in), competent, concise, conversant (in), detailed (knowledge of), effective (in), empathy, exceptional, expert (in, at), extraordinary, fluent (in), functions (well), gifted, good (at), great, high (degree of), intermediate (knowledge of), judicious, keen (sense of, understanding of), knowledge (of), master (of), perception (of), perceptive, practical (experience in), proficient (in), relentless (pursuit of), rudimentary, sensitive (to), skilled (at, in), sophisticated (understanding of), strong (sense of, background in), successful (in, at), uncommon, understanding (of), unusual

admitted, advanced, advocated, aided, assigned, assessed, cared, charted, charged, consoled, counseled, diagnosed, distributed, documented, educated, evaluated, examined, guided, helped, identified, informed, qualified, listened, monitored, nursed, practiced, prevented, proceeded, provided, referred, regulated, repaired, reset, resourced, restricted, reviewed, secured, supported, sutured, trained, volunteered

A cover letter is a one-page document submitted alongside your resume. While your resume highlights what you’ve done, your cover letter explains why those experiences matter for a particular role. A strong cover letter helps employers understand your interest in the position, your enthusiasm for the organization, and the value you would bring to the role. It should be personal, focused, and tailored to the opportunity.

Whenever possible, submit a cover letter if:

• The application requests one
• There is an option to upload one
• You’re especially interested in the organization or position
• You want to provide context that doesn’t fit naturally on your resume

Not every employer requires a cover letter, but a thoughtful one can help you stand out. If you’re unsure, review the application instructions or contact the recruiter.

A strong cover letter should:

• Explain why you’re interested in the organization and role
• Demonstrate that you’ve researched the employer
• Highlight experiences that connect directly to the position
• Provide examples that support your qualifications
• Show enthusiasm and professionalism
• Add information beyond what appears on your resume

Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. Don’t make the employer work hard to see why you’re a strong fit. Make it easy by clearly connecting your experiences and skills to the position.

Keep your cover letter to one page and single-space the content.

Whenever possible:

• Address the letter to a specific person
• Use a professional greeting such as “Dear Ms. Smith,” “Dear Mr. Jones,” or “Dear Hiring Manager”
• Avoid generic greetings such as “To Whom It May Concern”
• Match the formatting of your resume
• Save and submit the document as a PDF unless instructed otherwise

Cover letters follow a standard block format, meaning all content is left aligned with a space between each paragraph. Refer to the Cover Letter Template for an example of proper formatting.

Use a clear file name such as: Firstname_Lastname_CoverLetter.pdf

Professional formatting demonstrates attention to detail and helps create a positive first impression.

Think of your cover letter as an opportunity to make a clear case for why you’re a strong fit for the position.

Paragraph 1: Make your case

Introduce yourself, identify the position you’re applying for, and explain why you’re interested. The final sentence of your first paragraph should act as a thesis statement that summarizes why you’re a strong fit for the role.

For example:

“Through my leadership experience, customer service background, strong communication skills, and commitment to creating positive student experiences, I believe I would be an excellent candidate for the Resident Assistant position.”

Just like a book, your first paragraph should make the employer want to keep reading.

Paragraphs 2 to 4: Prove it

Review the job description and identify the skills, experiences, and qualifications the employer is seeking. Then dedicate each paragraph to one of the strengths you highlighted in your opening paragraph. Use specific examples to demonstrate those skills and connect them directly to the position.

Conclusion

Reiterate your interest in the role, thank the employer for their consideration, and express enthusiasm for the opportunity to discuss your qualifications further.

Don’t make the employer work hard to see why you’re a strong fit. Make it easy by clearly connecting your experiences to the position and supporting your claims with concrete examples.