Getting Started

Based on where you are in your resume/cover letter journey, select one of the links below:

• STEP 1:
  • If you want an overview of what a resume and cover letter is, please watch our video: How to Create a Strong Resume and Cover Letter
• STEP 2:
  • Select a resume format/template from below 
• STEP 3:
  
  • Review the Resume Handbook for templates, guides, and tips as you personalize your document(s)
• STEP 4:
  • Tailor your resume utilizing the info mentioned in the Resume Handbook and based on the position you are seeking.

For additional assistance, Schedule an Appointment with a Career Counselor or contact us at career.services@csuci.edu.

Step 1: Video

Step 2: Choose a Template or Format

• Resume Types
  • Chronological Resume Template (MS Word,22 KB)
  • Skills Template(MS Word,22 KB)
  • Combination Template (MS Word, 19 KB)
  • Accomplishment statements with key buzzwords (JPEG, 171K)
• Resume Samples
• Resumes by Major
• Cover Letter Samples

Step 3: Resume Handbook

Our comprehensive Resume Handbook is useful guide for creating or updating resumes, cover letters, references, and thank you notes. This guide will help you highlight your relevant skills, work experience, educational background that motivates employers to invite you to an interview.

"The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), through a task force of college career development services and HR/staffing professionals, has developed a definition and identified eight competencies associated with career readiness.Career readiness is the attainment and demonstration of requisite competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace." (NACE, 2015)

Our Resume Handbook has templates and guides for:

• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• Thank you letters
• Professional References
• Career Readiness Core Competencies

Step 4: Tailoring

• Review the position description (PD) of the opportunity you are applying for
  • Highlight the education, skills, and/or experiences required
  • Underline the education, skills, and/or experiences that you current have
  • See example: Prepare to Tailor Your Resume
• On your resume, update your action verbs and bullet points to reflect similar wording as the PD if you have those experiences 
  • You want to make it easier for the employer to see that you have the experiences to fill the role. Using similar wording
  • Also do this with your cover letter!
• Get feedback on your resume and cover letter by uploading it Handshake so one of our team members can provide brief feedback
  • Making and updating a resume/cover letter can be tricky, for one-on-one help, schedule an Appointment with a Career Counselor or contact us at career.services@csuci.edu. 

Templates & Samples

Resume Samples

• CV Sample  (PDF, 73.9 KB)
• Chronological Resume Sample (PDF, 379 KB)
• Combination Resume Sample (PDF, 196 KB)
• Coursework and Transfer Resume Sample (PDF, 178 KB)
• Customer Service Resume Sample (PDF , 371 KB)
• Research Resume Sample (PDF, 409 KB)
• Skills Resume Sample (PDF, 379 KB)
• Transferable Skills Resume Sample (PDF, 341 KB)

Resume Samples By Major

• Anthropology Sample(PDF,82.3 KB)
• Art-Graphic Design Sample (PDF, 54.7 KB)
• Art-Studio Art and Photography Sample (PDF, 178 KB)
• Biology Sample (PDF,71.3 KB)
• Biochemistry Sample (PDF, 110 KB)
• Business Management Sample (PDF,82.7 KB)
• Business Marketing Sample (PDF,127 KB)
• Chemistry Sample (PDF,104 KB)
• Chicana/o Studies Sample (PDF,66.7 KB)
• Communication Sample (PDF, 153 KB)
• Computer Science Sample (PDF, 170 KB)
• Computer Science Engineering Sample (PDF, 85.1 KB)
• Early Childhood Studies Sample (PDF,69.3 KB)
• Economics Sample (PDF, 100 KB)
• English Sample (PDF,135 KB)
• Environmental Studies Sample (PDF,71.5 KB)
• Health Science Sample(PDF, 110 KB)
• History Sample(PDF,185 KB)
• Information Technology Sample (PDF,146 KB)
• Liberal Studies: Teaching Sample (PDF,92 KB)
• Mathematics Sample (PDF, 150 KB)
• Mechatronics Sample (PDF,120 KB)
• Nursing Sample (PDF,64.9 KB)
• Performing Arts Sample (PDF, 18 KB)
• Physics: Applied Physics Sample (PDF, 129 KB)
• Political Science Sample (PDF,67 KB)
• Psychology Sample (PDF, 109 KB)
• Sociology Sample (PDF, 76 KB)
• Spanish Sample(PDF,86.8 KB)

Cover Letter Samples

• Cover Letter Format (PDF, 61.5 KB)
• Accomplishment statements with key buzzwords (JPEG, 216K)
• Application Cover Letter (PDF, 403 KB)
• Prospective Cover Letter (PDF,291KB)
• Networking Cover Letter (PDF, 156 KB)

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