LAS Resume Guide

Career Development and Internships

LAS
RESUME

GUIDE

For more tips and tools visit, career.las.uic.edu

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Resume Checklist
Key Elements

Action Verbs List
Achievement Statements 

Sample Resume #1
Sample Resume #2
Cover Letter Guide
Sample Cover Letter

Resume Checklist

Open a blank word document to begin
crafting your resume without the
use of a template.

Brainstorm all of your positions
and create a master list.

Start with key headers including contact information,
education, and relevant experiences.
Organize your experiences in chronological order listing the most
recent experience first and work your way down to past experience
within each section.
Format (font 10-12pt, 0.5 margins, bold, italics, underlining) and
alignment (spacing) should be consistent and include: title, organization,
location, and dates.

Identify critical skills and develop your bullet points so they mirror the
following formula: action verb + task + result.

Quantify your accomplishments by using numbers and incorporate
industry-related terminology.

Tailor content, category headings, and organization to each position.
Ask yourself, what is important to them?

Proofread and have a career professional look at it!

Promote yourself and encourage an opportunity to share a story in an
interview. Your resume is a marketing tool.

Key Elements

First and Last Name

City, State Zip Code | Phone Number | Email | LinkedIn URL

EDUCATION

University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL Expected Graduation Month Year

Bachelor of (Arts)/(Sciences) in ______(major)_______; Minor

Study Abroad: (If applicable) GPA: (if above 3.0) Dean’s List (___/___ semesters), Honors College, Academic Awards

RELEVANT COURSEWORK (Optional)
List title of class, not course number

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Job Title, Organization Name, City, State Month Year – Month Year

● The formatting of your resume should be consistent. Black text, common font type (Calibri, Ariel, Times New

Roman), 10-12 pt font, margins .5-1inch, and consistent use of bold, italics, and underlines.

● Every experience on your resume should include a title, organization name, location, and dates in reverse

chronological order.

● Begin each bullet point with an action verb, then follow with an explanation of what you were doing, how you did it,

and the outcome you achieved. Your bullet points can be 2 lines, and remember to convey your proficiency in a skill

set that the employer is looking for.

Job Title, Organization Name, City, State Month Year – Month Year

● Begin each bullet point with an action verb that is in the correct verb tense. If you are still working in the role, your

verbs should be in present tense. If the position has ended, be sure to change the verb tense to past tense and be

consistent. Highlight your biggest accomplishments and most relevant experience first.

● Show how you have added value by including details wherever possible such as frequency, population, and

outcomes of your work. Include numbers and try to quantify wherever possible.

Job Title, Organization Name, City, State Month Year – Month Year

● Follow the formula of ACTION VERB + TASK + RESULT for each bullet point.

● Every experience should have a minimum of 2 bullet points. For more prominent roles, include 3-5 bullets.

COURSE PROJECTS (Optional)

Project Title, School and Class Title, City, State Month Year – Month Year

● Begin with an action verb and utilize the list of action verbs to identify research focused words.

● Describe what you did such as individual research or team work and the outcomes of your project. Did you present

your project to an audience? Did you summarize your project in written format?

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE (This section is optional. Other optional section headings include: INVOLVEMENT, RESEARCH

EXPERIENCE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, and RELATED EXPERIENCE)

Title, Organization Name, City, State Month Year – Month Year

● Emphasize transferrable skills that can be applied from this experience into a professional setting.

● Share your experiences as a leader and articulate your achievements in the same format as above.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE (This is another optional section. Your sections can be arranged however you want on the resume

and within each section, your experiences should be in reverse chronological order.)

Volunteer, Organization Name, City, State Month Year – Month Year

● Begin each bullet point with an action verb and think about how each section highlights experiences relevant to the

employer. What qualifications are required? What words are repeated throughout the description?

● Show how you have added value by answering the question, how did I make an impact?

SKILLS / CERTIFICATIONS
● Proficient, Intermediate, Basic (add your technical skills such as SPSS, STATA, Microsoft Office, Adobe, etc. and level

of proficiency). Social Media experience should also be added to this section of the resume.
● Include languages if applicable with the level of proficiency.

Power or Action Verbs for Your Resume

Every bullet point should begin with a powerful action word. Below are suggested power verbs to make your skills pop!

MANAGEMENT/ explained developed planned classified
LEADERSHIP SKILLS expressed engineered programmed coded
incorporated fabricated projected collected
administered influenced installed reconciled compiled
analyzed interacted maintained reduced corresponded
approved interpreted operated researched distributed
assigned interviewed overhauled retrieved executed
attained involved programmed filed
authorized joined rectified CREATIVE SKILLS generated
chaired listened regulated acted implemented
consolidated marketed remodeled combined incorporated
contracted mediated repaired conceptualized logged
coordinated observed replaced created maintained
decided participated restored customized monitored
delegated persuaded solved designed obtained
developed presented specialized developed ordered
directed promoted standardized directed organized
eliminated proposed studied displayed prepared
enforced publicized utilized established processed
enhanced reconciled fashioned provided
established recruited TEACHING SKILLS formulated purchased
executed reinforced adapted founded recorded
generated reported advised illustrated responded
handled resolved clarified integrated reviewed
headed responded coached introduced scheduled
hired solicited communicated modeled screened
hosted spoke conducted modified submitted
improved suggested coordinated originated supplied
increased translated critiqued performed standardized
initiated wrote demonstrated planned systematized
instituted developed revised updated
led RESEARCH SKILLS enabled revitalized validated
managed clarified encouraged shaped verified
motivated collected evaluated
organized compared explained HELPING SKILLS MORE VERBS FOR
originated conducted facilitated advocated ACCOMPLISHMENTS
overhauled critiqued focused aided
oversaw detected guided answered achieved
planned determined individualized arranged completed
presided examined informed assessed expanded
prioritized experimented instilled assisted exceeded
produced explored instructed cared for improved
recommended formulated motivated clarified pioneered
reorganized gathered persuaded coached spearheaded
replaced identified set goals collaborated succeeded
restored inspected simulated contributed surpassed
reviewed interpreted taught cooperated transformed
scheduled invented tested counseled won
strengthened investigated trained diagnosed
supervised located tutored encouraged
measured ensured
COMMUNICATION/ organized FINANCIAL/DATA expedited
PEOPLE SKILLS researched SKILLS facilitated
searched furthered
addressed solved administered guided
advertised summarized adjusted helped
arranged surveyed allocated intervened
articulated tested assessed motivated
clarified appraised provided
collaborated TECHNICAL SKILLS audited referred
communicated adapted balanced presented
composed assembled calculated resolved
consulted built computed supplied
contacted calculated corrected supported
conveyed computed determined volunteered
corresponded constructed estimated
described converted forecasted ORGANIZATION/
developed designed managed DETAIL SKILLS
discussed determined marketed
elicited measured arranged
enlisted categorized

NOTE: Categories for action verbs are only suggestions and therefore all verbs should be considered.

Writing

Achievement

Statements

Achievement statements are the bullet points that you use to describe your
present and past jobs on your resume. To write a strong achievement statement,

you want to describe what you do, how you do it, and why you do it.

What did you do? How did you do it? Why did you do it?

Examples:

Created fliers and promotional materials utilizing Adobe Illustrator in order
to promote campus events to students.

Read and analyzed over 200 letters and translated them from French to
English in order to develop a resource for further academic analysis.

Tutored an adult immigrant in English as a Second Language through
collaboratively developed lesson plans to practice and improve reading,
writing, and speaking skills.

Leticia Ramos

Cicero, IL 60804 · [email protected] · 773.555.5555

EDUCATION May 2023
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Justice

RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Law and Society, Introduction to Urban Education, Urban Politics, Principles of Criminal Law

COURSE PROJECT

Law and Society, Neighborhood Survey, UIC, Chicago, IL January 2019-May 2019

● Researched various Chicago neighborhoods to identify low income populations to target for survey research

● Developed survey of questions related to community needs in order to gain information about resident needs

and perspectives of community resources
● Interviewed 5 participants, synthesized data, and presented positive findings to class

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Macy’s, Customer Service Representative, Chicago, IL January 2019-Present

● Process customer transactions, answer merchandise inquiries, and manage returns and exchanges within a

fast-paced driven environment

● Problem-solve daily customer issues and communicate with 5 departments to streamline communication and

deliver quality service

● Answer customer phone inquiries with professionalism and route calls to appropriate departments to increase

customer satisfaction

● Operate cash register and cover shifts for 4 cashiers and maintain drawer accuracy

Smile Dental, Front Desk Assistant, Chicago, IL June 2018-August 2018

● Greeted patients and provided a positive welcoming experience while soliciting pertinent documentation for

the check-in process

● Managed front desk calendar using Outlook and followed up with patients prior to their appointments

resulting in reduced appointment cancellations and no-shows

● Developed office procedures to efficiently collect patient information at check-in

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Greater Chicago Food Depository, Volunteer, Chicago, IL November 2017-March 2018

● Maintained record of food donated to the depository using Microsoft Excel

● Collaborated with a group of volunteers to package food for low-income Chicago communities

● Assisted team in coordinating administrative logistics for a fundraising event attended by 75+ community

members by following up with donors and ensuring food and entertainment was scheduled effectively

EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT

Asian American Students in Alliance, Member, UIC August 2019-Present

● Attend meetings to brainstorm and discuss programming centered around Asian American issues

● Collaborate with group members to organize upcoming events such as community socials and guest speakers

to increase connectedness and awareness on campus
● Contact campus resources to schedule professional development opportunities for members such as career

development workshops and wellness sessions

SKILLS
Technical: Proficient in Microsoft Office | Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube
Language: Spanish Proficiency (Oral and Written), French (Basic)

Cynthia Nadia Lopez

Chicago, Illinois 60632 | 773-594-0000 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/nadialopez/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL May 2021

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, GPA 3.0/4.0
● Related Coursework: Sociology of Gender and Sexuality, Sociology of Latinos, Introduction to Urban Education

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Girls in the Game, Human Resources Assistant Intern, Chicago, IL September 2019 - Present

● Provide logistical support to business director with data modifications using Salesforce
● Update all new volunteer evaluation information in designated Excel file in order to organize feedback for further program
modifications and identify areas for improvement

● Translate survey, welcome letter, and other documents from English to Spanish for program participants
● Serve as a chaperone for 12+ girls on multiple experiential activities in order to model leadership behavior

Weston Financial Services, College Intern Recruit, Chicago, IL September 2018 - December 2018
● Presented to undergraduate classes outlining the details of the financial internship including mission and job functions in order

to encourage students to apply
● Attended recruitment events at universities and colleges and assisted the program coordinator in marketing the internship and

answering inquiries about program logistics

Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, Summer Program Employee, Chicago, IL June 2018-August 2018

● Maintained summer program employee records such as identification, I-9 forms, and W-4s for HR orientation
● Contributed to short-term projects such as preparing for Back to School events by gathering supplies and managing a welcome

party that attracted 500+ families
● Organized Excel files and managed time sheets for all summer employees to support Director of Finance

Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School, Teacher Assistant/Soccer Coach, Chicago, IL September 2015 - May 2017
● Tutored 5th grade students in reading and writing in English and Spanish in order to increase academic performance to qualify

for team events
● Provided logistical support to school counselor in coordinating events to connect students with alumni
● Coached Flag Soccer for 4th graders with two other coaches by hosting weekly practices and attended weekend games to

encourage teamwork and collaboration

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Psychology, Research Assistant, Chicago, IL January 2017 - May 2017
● Collected and analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data using SPSS to identify trends in perceptions of youth behavior in

diagnosed and undiagnosed anxiety patients
● Presented data analysis and results to 100+ professionals at Anxiety and Resistance in Youth event

● Designed surveys and interview questions in English and Spanish for the participants in the study

LEADERSHIP / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

UIC Student Leadership and Civic Engagement IGNITE Program, Peer Mentor, Chicago, IL January 2019 - Present
● Provide mentorship and support to first-and-second year students to help them adapt to the university and share insight on

how to leverage resources, get involved on campus and create a sense of community
● Meet with students in small groups to check-in with college transition to ensure resources are being utilized

UIC LAS Internship Immersion Program, Participant, Chicago, IL March 2018
● Participated in a three- day program during Spring Break to explore workplace settings, internship opportunities, and career

paths by engaging in self-assessment exercises and on-site visits to various companies
● Networked with key professionals and connected with peers through professional and career development discussions

SKILLS
● Technical: Microsoft Office and SharePoint (Proficient), SurveyMonkey and Salesforce (Functional), SPSS (Basic)

Cover Letter Preparation Guide

Purpose: Your cover letter serves as a supplement to your resume to expand on a few of your
experiences and highlight the skills you gained and how those skills align with the organization’s
needs.

Format:

Your Contact Information

Date

Internship Manager Name
Manager’s Contact Information

Dear Internship Manager (Use name if available),

● First Paragraph: Introduce yourself with your name, year in school, major, and area of
interest. State why you are writing, name the position or type of work for which you are
applying, and mention how you heard of the opening.

● Second Paragraph: Identify 3 skills/strengths you have that will help the employer.
Prove that you have each of the skills by identifying a time you used it. Explain your
reasons and qualifications for desiring this type of work and how you see yourself fitting
into the company.

● Third Paragraph: Explain why you are interested in working for this employer
specifically. Use characteristics specific to the company to demonstrate that you have
done your research.

● Fourth Paragraph: Have an appropriate closing that thanks the reader and paves the
way for the interview.

Sincerely,

Sign Your Name

Type Your Name

Lisa Matthews

2244 Waters Street
Chicago, IL 60610

June 21, 2018

Hilary Williams
Executive Director
Good Science Association
123 State Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Dear Ms. Williams,

After viewing the internship posting for the science research internship on Internships.com, I believe I am
a good candidate for this opportunity. I am currently in my undergraduate senior year at UIC working
towards my Bachelor of Science in Biology degree, where I have developed and demonstrated valuable
research skills and solidified my passion for research. Given my strong interest, I would like to share my
experiences that would be a good fit for this position.

At UIC, I have an opportunity of working as an undergraduate research assistant alongside one of my
esteemed professors on a breast cancer gene expression study. As an undergraduate research assistant, I
oversee maintaining detailed records of our research, extracting and entering data, and creating graphs
and charts to highlight results. Because of this experience, I believe that my skills in assisting with the
development of study protocols, building databases, and providing administrative support would allow
me to contribute greatly to your research team.

In addition to my research experience, I also had the opportunity to strengthen my interpersonal skills as a
volunteer at Rush University Medical Center where I escorted patients and families to the appropriate
location within the hospital, while also maintaining communication with nurses and hospital staff. I
understand that consulting with nurses and physicians, as well as communicating with research
participants is a key component to this position. Given my experiences at Rush University Medical
Center, I feel my communication skills can support this position.

I am highly motivated and eager to work with your organization. I seek the opportunity to show my
strengths and help assist your team to complete the tasks at hand. I am willing to work to gain experience
and knowledge, working beside the best professionals in the field. I work well as a team member, am very
reliable and organized, and continuously willing to learn. Your mission of “linking progressive science to
health professionals to support the greater good of urban communities” resonates with me, and I believe I
can support this mission through key projects in this internship.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss my skills and qualifications further and learn more
about the opportunities. I can be reached by phone at 312.445.1234 or by email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Lisa Matthews