Resume and cover letter advice for grad students/postdocs

This resource is a two‑page, quick‑reference guide that gives graduate students and postdocs practical, high‑impact tips for writing targeted resumes and customized cover letters.

On the resume side, the handout explains how to structure sections (Summary, Education, Relevant Experience, Leadership, Skills) and how to turn academic, internship, and student organization work into skills‑focused bullets using a Skill–Context–Outcome format. It emphasizes choosing 3–5 key “takeaways” for your Summary, using relevant coursework and club projects as experience, highlighting transferable skills from any role, and keeping leadership and skills sections focused and concise.

On the cover letter side, it frames the letter as a “why” document that complements, rather than repeats, the resume. The guide walks students through writing a clear opening paragraph that states the role and core fit, thematic body paragraphs that showcase their strongest experiences with energizing, story‑driven language, and a closing paragraph that answers “Why this position, and why this organization?” while inviting further contact.