Develop an Effective Resume
Not sure how to create your resume and apply for jobs?
Our resume models illustrate how Cornell College students with a variety of interests and experiences communicate their skills, achievements, and experience.
- General (underclassman, includes work-study and off-campus work experience, fraternity)
- STEM/Computer Science (upperclassman, includes CSRI, capstone, campus leadership and work-study experiences)
- Arts/Theater (upperclassman, stage manager)
- Pre-health/KIN (upperclassman, includes student-athlete experience)
- Use active verbs to show your ownership and impact (think "coordinated," "managed," and "coached" instead of "supported," "assisted," and "helped.")
- NACE career competencies also have helpful language to use for writing bullet points that will help you frame your college experiences as transferable to the workplace.
- Review the Berry Career Institute Resume Quick Guide to get started, and make an appointment for assistance developing and reviewing your resume.
Should I use a template or pre-made resume (for example, on Canva?)
We recommend sticking to a simple format that maximizes information and minimizes distractions on the page. Cool templates look great, but can confuse employer tech systems that "read" resumes for relevant information, or they can look strange on different screens. Therefore, basic black and white documents are best. If you want to demonstrate your creativity, consider a personal website with a link included in your resume.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
Generally, we recommend saving space on the page for information about you rather than images. You can include your LinkedIn profile link and upload a profile picture there if you want to share a photo.
How can I list my language proficiency on my resume?
We suggest listing proficiency levels for languages on your resume as beginner/novice, intermediate, or advanced/fluent. Language skills can be standalone or included in your skills section.
Should I include a summary statement on my resume?
Summaries should provide a compelling hook that gets employers to read the rest of the resume. They are optional. If you do decide to include a summary statement on your resume, the biggest mistake you can make is to repeat your bullet points. Rather, your summary statement should be used as a personal branding tool, where you can help a hiring manager get a sense of who you are, what you value, and what you will offer the company as an employee.
Example:
Recent psychology graduate with experience in student leadership, community engagement, and program coordination. Skilled in building relationships, communicating with diverse audiences, and managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Brings strong research, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated commitment to supporting others and contributing to mission-driven organizations.