Resumes and CVs

Crafting your resume

A resume is a concise document that highlights your education, skills and experiences relevant to the job you're applying for. Employers may spend just 30 seconds reviewing your resume, so it’s important to make it clear, easy to read and tailored to each position. As you gain more experience throughout college, your resume will continue to evolve. Getting feedback along the way can help you create a strong resume that stands out and leads to interviews. Career consultants are available to help you get started or provide feedback on your documents.

Resume formatting
  • Keep it to one page (two max if you have extensive experience relevant to the role).
  • Use a clean, professional font like Calibri, Arial or Garamond, typically size 10-12.
  • Organize sections clearly with bold headers (e.g., Education, Experience, Skills).
  • Use bullet points (not paragraphs) to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities.
  • Start each bullet with a strong action verb and focus on outcomes when possible.
  • Be consistent with formatting — align dates, use the same style for headings and match punctuation.
  • Avoid graphics, photos or overly decorative elements.
Resume tips
  • Customize your resume for each job or internship you apply to — avoid sending the same version every time.
  • Highlight your U of I coursework, projects and campus involvement that relate directly to the position.
  • Use keywords from the job description and industry terms to get your resume noticed by employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
  • Focus on experiences where you demonstrated skills relevant to the job, including part-time jobs, internships, research or leadership roles.
  • Put your most relevant experiences or skills near the top to grab attention quickly.
  • Showcase measurable results or impact from your campus activities or previous jobs, like event attendance growth or project outcomes.
  • Include relevant technical skills or certifications earned at U of I, such as software, lab techniques or languages.
Download our resume template

CVs

A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a comprehensive document that details your full academic and professional history, including education, research, publications, presentations, awards and more. Unlike a resume, which is typically one page and tailored to a specific job, a CV is more extensive and used primarily for positions in academia, research or graduate school. CVs grow over time as you gain experience and achievements, and while formatting still matters, content and clarity take priority. Getting feedback early on can help you develop a strong CV that accurately reflects your accomplishments and supports your academic or professional goals. 

What should I include in a CV?

Possible categories to include in your CV:

  • Education and training
  • Research experiences
  • Teaching experiences
  • Work experiences and internships
  • Projects, works, exhibitions and performances
  • Certificates, licenses and credentials
  • Publications (authored or contributed to)
  • Conferences and workshops (attended or presented)
  • Fellowships, grants or other funding
  • Advising/mentoring
  • Skills in areas such as language, technology and computing
  • Service, volunteerism and leadership
  • Areas of knowledge, expertise or research interest
  • Awards and accomplishments
  • Affiliations or memberships 
Download our CV example
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