Resume and Cover Letter: A Step-by-Step Guide

A resume is your personal highlight reel. It is how you introduce yourself to employers before you ever speak to them. Whether you are applying for an internship, a part-time job, or your first full-time role, your resume is a tool that helps others understand who you are, what you have done, and what you are capable of doing next.

It is not just a formality or a checkbox. Your resume tells a story about your experiences, your skills, and the value you bring. Your resume usually goes to a recruiter, whose job is to scan quickly and figure out if you could be a good fit. If they like what they see, they pass it on to the hiring manager. That person might be your future boss, so the way you describe your experience matters. You want your resume to be clear enough that anyone reading it, no matter their role, can understand what you did and why it mattered.

If your resume is too vague or confusing, people have to guess. And when someone has to guess, they often move on. That is why being specific is key. What did you work on? How did it help the team or organization? What changed because you were there? These are the kinds of questions your resume should answer.

Creating a strong resume takes time, but you do not have to do it alone. You can talk to a coach here at Mercy, check out samples for your major or industry, or attend a workshop to get feedback. A resume is not just about getting the job. It is about telling your story in a way that makes people want to know more.

Resumes can look a little different depending on your major, experience, or the type of job you are applying for. But in general, there are a few key sections that show up on most resumes. These sections help organize your experiences and make it easier for an employer to understand your story.

Here is what you will usually find on a resume:

Contact Information
This goes at the very top. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and your LinkedIn profile if it is ready to be seen by employers. Make sure everything is up to date and looks professional.

Education
List the college you attend, your major or program, your expected graduation date, and any honors or relevant coursework. You can also include your GPA if it is strong and required for the role. Click here to see a list of the degrees at Mercy. It’s important to list the correct major on your resume.

Experience
This section includes jobs, internships, volunteer roles, and leadership positions. Use bullet points to explain what you did, how you did it, and what impact you had. Be specific and use strong action words to show your contributions.

Skills
Highlight your technical and professional abilities here. This might include computer programs, languages, tools, or certifications. Only include skills that you are confident using in a real work setting.

Leadership and Projects
This is a space to include class projects, student organizations, research, or personal initiatives that show what you can do. These experiences can help fill in the picture, especially if you are still building your work experience.

4+1 program

If you’re in the 4+1 program for any of our programs, here’s an example of how you can write this section under education

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Your resume does not have to include every section on this list. Choose the ones that make the most sense for your background and the job you are applying for. The goal is to help the reader understand what you bring to the table and how you can contribute to their team.

If you are unsure how to organize your resume or which sections to include, reach out to a career coach or check out examples for your field. We are here to support you in building a resume that is clear, confident, and uniquely yours.

Click here to see a list of additional sections that you can have on your resume

Every bullet point on your resume is a chance to prove what you are capable of. It is not just about listing tasks. It is about showing results, using clear language, and helping the reader understand the value you brought to a role or experience.

A weak bullet might say something like “Helped with events.”
A strong bullet might say “Coordinated logistics for three campus events with over 100 attendees, resulting in a 25 percent increase in student participation.”

Spot the difference? The second bullet gives details. It tells us what you did, how you did it, and what impact it had. That is what employers are looking for. They want to know how you think, how you solve problems, and how you make things better.

Most recruiters only spend a few seconds on each resume. That means your bullet points need to do a lot of work in a short amount of time. They should start with action verbs, include specific details, and connect to the role you are applying for when possible.

Here is a helpful formula you can follow:
Action verb + what you did + how or why it mattered

For example:
“Led a team of four students to design a marketing campaign that increased student club membership by 40 percent.”

Crafting strong bullets takes time, but it is worth the effort. When done right, each bullet builds your case. Together, they help the reader picture you in the role you want next.

Not sure how to improve your bullet points? That is where we come in. Bring your resume to a Mercy career coach, and we can walk through it with you. You can also check out examples online that match your industry. Remember, your bullet points tell your story. Make sure they are saying something great.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is using the same resume for every opportunity. While it might seem easier, a one-size-fits-all resume usually does not make a strong impression. Employers are looking for candidates who seem like a clear fit, and tailoring your resume helps you show exactly that.

Tailoring your resume means adjusting the content to match the job or internship you are applying for. It does not mean making things up. It means highlighting the parts of your experience that are most relevant and using the kind of language that makes sense in that specific field.

Start by reading the job description closely. What skills are they asking for? What responsibilities are mentioned most often? Then, take a look at your resume and ask yourself, Where have I done something similar? How can I make that clear to someone reading this for the first time?

For example, if you are applying to a role in marketing, you might want to highlight communication skills, creative thinking, and project experience. If you are applying to a research role, you might emphasize data analysis, attention to detail, or your ability to work independently.

Even if your past experience is not a perfect match, there is often overlap. Maybe your part-time job helped you build time management or problem-solving skills. Maybe your class project gave you exposure to tools that are common in the industry. Your job is to connect the dots for the reader so they do not have to guess why you are a good fit.

Tailoring your resume shows that you care. It shows that you took the time to understand what the employer is looking for and that you believe you are prepared to deliver. It can be the difference between getting passed over or getting invited to interview.

Not sure how to tailor your resume? Our coaches can help you break down job descriptions and identify what to highlight. You can also study sample resumes from people in your field to get a sense of what stands out. A small adjustment can make a big difference.

Below is a list of action verbs you can use when crafting your resume. Make sure you choose different verbs to start your bullets.

Before you apply to any job or internship, make sure your resume is in its best shape. Here are a few key things to check that many students overlook:

1. Make Sure Your Resume Is Approved
If you’re applying to jobs or internships through Handshake, your application won’t be fully submitted until your resume is approved by a career coach. Even if Handshake shows that you applied, it doesn’t mean the employer can see your resume yet. If you get an email saying “Changes Required,” that means your resume needs edits before it can be approved.

If you’re ever unsure, email cpd@mercy.edu or reply directly to the email you received with feedback. We’re here to help you get your resume across the finish line.

2. Name Your File Clearly
Use a clean and professional file name like FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf. Always save and upload your resume as a PDF so the formatting stays consistent, no matter what device or system is being used to open it.

3. Keep It Updated
Any time you finish an internship, learn a new skill, complete a major project, or take on a leadership role, update your resume. You want the version you’re uploading to show the most recent and relevant information. It’s easy to forget, so set a reminder to review your resume every few months.

4. Check Your Formatting
Simple is best. Avoid resumes with overly designed templates, columns, or fonts that might not display correctly. Stick to a clean, consistent format that looks good on screen and is easy for both humans and applicant tracking systems to read.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a tool that many companies use to help sort through job applications. Think of it like a robot that scans all the resumes that come in. When you apply for a job, your resume is often checked by the ATS before it even gets to a real person. The system looks for specific words, skills, and job titles that match what the employer is looking for. If your resume doesn’t have the right words or formatting, the ATS might not “understand” your qualifications, and it won’t make it through to the recruiter.

How to Position Yourself with Your Resume:

Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing internship, and the job description mentions things like “social media management,” “content creation,” and “analytics.” The ATS is going to look for those terms on your resume.

To make sure your resume gets through the ATS, use the same or similar versions of those keywords from the job description and keep your formatting simple. This way, you’re helping the system understand your qualifications and giving yourself a better chance of landing an interview with a real person.

In today’s job market, AI tools can be a game-changer when it comes to creating a strong, tailored resume. Whether you’re just starting your job search or fine-tuning your resume for specific roles, AI can help you write clearer, more compelling bullet points, optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS), and even improve your phrasing and tone.

AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Jobscan can assist you in several ways. For example, you can use ChatGPT to help rewrite or refine bullet points to make them more results-oriented and tailored to the job you’re applying for. If you’re unsure how to phrase your experience, you can input a rough draft and ask for suggestions to make it sound more impactful. Tools like Jobscan can also help you compare your resume to the job description, highlighting keywords that are missing and ensuring your resume is ATS-friendly. Grammarly can catch grammar mistakes and improve the overall clarity of your resume, making sure it reads well and sounds professional.

The Career Team at Mercy has actually trained our own AI tool, Big Resume, to do a review of your resume, following our recommended templates. Big Resume is a safe, FERPA-protected tool which provides personalized feedback and highlights the exact areas for improvement. All that in an instant. Big Resume won’t replace a Career Coach and won’t write a resume for you, but it will give you immediate pointers for what to tweak, using your own words, without fear of sounding machine-like. Sign on using Single Sign On and rest assured your information is safe. 

It’s important to remember that while AI can improve your resume, it shouldn’t replace your own voice or experiences. Always start with your own draft, and use AI to refine what you’ve written. Be specific with the prompts you give AI, like asking it to emphasize certain skills or leadership experience. And most importantly, after using AI, review your resume carefully. Get feedback from mentors or peers to ensure your resume reflects your unique strengths and experiences accurately.

Using AI doesn’t mean you’re cutting corners, it’s about giving yourself the best possible chance to stand out in a competitive job market. With the right tools and approach, AI can help you craft a resume that gets noticed.

Even small mistakes on your resume can make a big difference. Here are some common ones and how to fix them:

Typos or messy formatting
Check for spelling errors, grammar issues, and inconsistent spacing. Use Grammarly or ask a friend to proofread.

Vague bullet points
Instead of saying “helped with projects,” explain what you actually did. Be clear and specific about your role and impact.

Using the same resume for every job
Always tweak your resume to match the job description. Look for keywords they use and try to reflect them in your resume.

Trying to fit too much
Keep it to one page, but don’t make it overcrowded. Focus on what’s most relevant to the job you want.

Forgetting important sections
Make sure you include your skills, GPA if it’s strong, and any relevant courses or projects.

Hard-to-read templates
Stick with a simple format that’s easy to read on screen. Avoid too many columns, colors, or fancy fonts.

Making things up
Be honest. It’s okay to present your work confidently, but it should always be true to your experience.

Out-of-order experience
List your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. This helps employers quickly see your latest and most relevant work.

If you’re worried about not having enough experience, you’re not alone. The good news is there are plenty of ways to build your resume while you’re still in school. It’s all about showing initiative, being involved, and learning by doing. Here are some suggestions:

Join a club or student organization
Clubs are more than just a way to meet people. They help you build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. If you take on a role like planning events or managing social media, it gives you even more to add to your resume.

Volunteer your time
Look for local nonprofits, campus events, or student-led initiatives that need help. Volunteering shows you care about your community and gives you real-world experience you can talk about in interviews.

Ask around for opportunities
Talk to your professors, advisors, or classmates. Let them know you’re open to internships or volunteer projects. Someone might know an employer looking for help or a department that needs an extra hand.

Consider federal work study or a campus job
If you qualify for work study, check for job openings on campus. Whether it’s helping in an office, tutoring, or supporting a department, campus jobs show responsibility and transferable skills.

Start a personal project
If you’re into photography, design, coding, writing, or fashion, consider starting something on your own. You could build a website, start a blog, help a friend’s business, or organize a small event. These projects count as experience and show initiative.

Take online courses or earn microcredentials
Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Google Career Certificates offer great skill-building opportunities. You can list completed courses or certifications on your resume to show that you’re learning on your own.

Help someone you know
Offer to support a family member’s small business, help with marketing for a student club, or design flyers for a campus event. Informal experience still counts as long as you explain what you did and what skills you used.

You might think your babysitting or restaurant job has nothing to do with business or other professional roles, but that’s not true at all. Employers care about transferable skills i.e. communication, problem-solving, time management, and dependability. These are the kinds of qualities you build every day in service jobs.

If you worked in a restaurant, you likely dealt with fast-paced environments, handled customer complaints, managed time under pressure, and worked as part of a team. That’s valuable experience. Instead of writing “waited tables,” try something like:

Provided fast and friendly service to over 100 customers daily while managing multiple tables and resolving issues to ensure a positive dining experience.

If you worked as a nanny, you weren’t just babysitting. You were managing routines, solving problems on the fly, and communicating with parents regularly. A bullet point could sound like:

Oversaw the care of two children including meal prep, scheduling activities, and maintaining consistent communication with parents to ensure a safe and engaging environment.

These experiences show employers that you are reliable, adaptable, and capable. Those are the same strengths you’ll need in any job, whether it’s in business, tech, healthcare, or something else. It’s all about how you tell your story. Don’t leave out a job just because it doesn’t seem “professional” because chances are, it taught you more than you think.

It is true that you should work towards gaining experiences that are more directly related to the roles you’re pursuing but that doesn’t mean you completely eliminate the other roles you’ve held. Own it!

As an international student, your resume is your chance to show what makes you stand out. Keep it clear and concise, focusing on your skills, academic achievements, and any work or volunteer experiences. Employers love transferable skills like leadership, problem-solving, and communication, so highlight those, along with any language abilities you have.

Remember to leave out things like photos or personal details, as these are not necessary and may not align with what employers expect. Be sure you know the status of your visa and work authorization, so you can confidently explain it to potential employers. This will help make the process smooth for both you and the company.

Navigating job searches as an international student can feel challenging, but you’re not doing this alone. Reach out to your community. Connect with alumni, attend career events, and tap into professors or mentors who can offer advice. Volunteering is another great way to gain experience and meet new people in your field. Keep in mind that your experience is unique, but many before you have navigated this path. Get help when you need it, and remember, you’re part of a larger community that’s here to support you.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a personal connection with an employer. While your resume lists what you’ve done, your cover letter explains why those experiences matter and how they’ve prepared you for this specific role. Think of it as your highlight reel with a personal touch — a one-page story about how you and the company align.

Even if a posting says “optional,” submitting a thoughtful cover letter can set you apart. It shows initiative, genuine interest, and communication skills – qualities every employer values. A strong cover letter helps employers see you as more than a list of bullet points; it helps them understand your “why.”

What if I don’t have much experience?
Employers know you are early in your career. Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, focus on what you do have — class projects, volunteer work, campus involvement, or part-time jobs. Highlight the transferable skills you gained and connect them to what the employer is looking for.

How long should it be?
Keep it to one page with three or four short paragraphs. Aim for clear, direct, and confident writing.

What should I include?
A great cover letter has three parts:

1. An engaging opening that introduces who you are and why you’re excited about the opportunity.
2. A middle section that connects your skills and experiences to the position.
3. A closing paragraph that summarizes your fit and thanks the employer for their time.

How do I personalize it?
Mention something specific about the company — a value, initiative, or recent project that resonates with you. This shows you’ve done your research and care about the work they do.

Should I repeat what’s on my resume?
Not word-for-word. Use your cover letter to add context and tell the story behind your experiences. Explain why you pursued certain opportunities and how they connect to the role.

Who should I address it to?
If you can find the hiring manager’s name, use it. If not, “Dear Hiring Team” is a professional and inclusive greeting.

Below is an example written by a Mercy University student applying for a marketing internship. Use it as inspiration to structure your own letter.

“Dear Hiring Team,

I am excited to apply for the Marketing Intern position at GreenFuture Media. As a junior majoring in Business Administration at Mercy University, I have developed a strong foundation in digital marketing, analytics, and consumer behavior. I am drawn to GreenFuture’s mission to create sustainable marketing solutions and would love to contribute my creativity and analytical skills to your growing team.

During my coursework in Digital Marketing Strategy, I led a semester-long project where my team developed a mock campaign that increased engagement by 25% through targeted social media ads. Additionally, as a Social Media Ambassador for Mercy University, I manage campus Instagram takeovers and create weekly content that highlights student life. These experiences taught me how to craft messages that resonate with an audience and use data to improve results — skills that align closely with your internship requirements.

I am inspired by GreenFuture’s commitment to purpose-driven storytelling and innovation. I would be thrilled to bring my curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for sustainability to your marketing team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experiences can support your mission.”

Click here to see a more in depth look at cover letters

• Match your resume’s formatting for a cohesive, professional look
• Save as a PDF titled “FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter.pdf”
• Always proofread and read it out loud
• Have a career coach review your letter before submitting it through Handshake