Preparing application materials for internships, jobs, and graduate school
Whether you’re applying for internships and jobs in industry, non-profits, government, or academia, or planning on heading to graduate degrees, Career Services can help you navigate the timeline and process of seeking jobs in a diversity of fields. We’re here to help you translate and communicate the skills and experiences you’ve gained at Penn as you demonstrate your fit for different roles, organizations, and industries. We can guide you through all aspects of the application process as you explore opportunities in a career field that interests you. Make an appointment with a Career Advisor via Handshake at any stage of your process. Click below for more information about preparing application materials for the next step in your professional and career development.
Resumes
Your resume is a brief summary of your relevant skills, experiences, and education background that is tailored to an employer and how you can fit their needs, goals, and mission. The purpose of a resume is to get a hiring manager or committee interested in your candidacy enough to invite you to an interview and have a conversation, which is the next stage of a search process. While the style of the resume can reflect different career fields and industries, the overall goal to highlight relevant skills remains the same. Click the image below for guidelines you can use to get started on your resume.
Cover Letters & Writing Samples
Cover letters should be tailored to each job or internship that you apply to. Any information mentioned in the cover letter should be echoed by information shared in the resume. A cover letter gives you the opportunity to answer “why” questions – why do you want this position and are interested in the organization, why are your experiences and skills relevant? You can also use cover letters to illustrate your motivation and passion. Click on the guide below for more information on cover letters. Occasionally, an employer might also ask for a writing sample.
Materials for Faculty Job Searches
Learn more about putting together effective materials for your faculty job search here, including advice on:
You can also review information in this guide to learn about the faculty application and interviewing process.
Document Feedback - Resume & Cover Letter Critiques
Click here for more information about submitting your resume and/or cover letter for review.
Online course - Creating effective resumes and CVs
Short, learn at your own pace Canvas courses on Resume/CV Writing, Interviewing, and Networking. You can enroll at any time – find more information here.
Materials for Applying to Graduate & Professional School
