Prepare Your Documents

Group of resumes on table spread out along with a laptop, pen, and glasses

A résumé is a marketing tool designed to land you an interview for a job, internship or graduate/professional school. It highlights your education, experience, and skills in an organized, easy-to-read format with the goal of convincing your audience (in approximately 15 seconds) to invest in what you have to offer.

Résumés should be tailored to the position for which you are applying.

Steps to Creating an Eye-Catching Résumé

Step 1. Gather/assemble your information.

Create a list of all positions held through work/volunteer experience, activities, courses, skills, etc. in which you have spent or currently spend your time.

Step 2. Identify relevant skills, achievements, and experience that you want to highlight.

Consult the position description for the requirements and qualifications the employer is seeking and identify aspects from your background that match those skills.  Throughout your résumé, highlight these skills, qualifications, expertise/experience using key words/terminology used by the employer in the position description. Find out more about identifying your strengths here.

Step 3. Organize and categorize your information into separate sections.

Review our résumé samples first. Note: You may use font as small as 10.5 pt. but no larger than 12 pt. (section headings may be larger). Margins should be between .5 and one inch.

Step 4. Develop bullet points for your experiences.

Describe your accomplishments and contributions for each position you have held using concise, descriptive statements in bullet form. Each bullet should begin each with a strong action verb (see below), and you should eliminate pronouns and any non-essential words. Use present-tense (current experience) and past-tense (past experience) verb forms, not “ing” verbs.

Step 5. Have your résumé reviewed by a Career Center advisor.

Stop by during drop-ins for a brief 15-minute review, or schedule an appointment.

Do’s

  • Determine your job search objective prior to writing the resume and tailor your resume for the position.
  • Customize your resume to match a specific job description. Use buzzwords from the industry.
  • Focus on positive results and accomplishments.
  • Keep a consistent, easily-readable format.
  • Create strong, action-oriented statements about your work.
  • List the most important, relevant items first. For example, you may decide to move your “Internships” and “Projects” sections above your “Customer Service Experience” section. Underneath each experience, you should also put the most important bullet points first.
  • Within each section, you must list experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
  • Qualify and quantify your experiences whenever possible. Include numbers and percentages when possible.
  • Highlight specific accomplishments rather than expand on every detail.
  • Expand on professional, volunteer, research, and classroom experiences to show transferable skills.
  • Proofread your work. Ask the Career Center, friends, and advisors for help.

Don’ts

  • Use templates and tables included in software.
  • Make general claims (“Good communication skills”) without backing them up with examples.
  • Mislead employers about your GPA, skills, or abilities.
  • Include long, generic objective statements. Employers won’t read them!
  • Submit references on the same page as your resume. They should be kept in a separate document and provided when the employer asks for them.
  • Don’t go over two pages. Most underclassman candidates should have a one-page resume, but this will depend on the amount of experience you have.
  • Put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to multiple positions that match your career interests.
  • approved
  • arranged
  • cataloged
  • classified
  • collected
  • compiled
  • dispatched
  • executed
  • generated
  • implemented
  • inspected
  • monitored
  • operated
  • organized
  • prepared
  • processed
  • purchased
  • recorded
  • retrieved
  • screened
  • specified
  • systematized
  • tabulated
  • validated
  • addressed
  • arbitrated
  • arranged
  • authored
  • collaborated
  • convinced
  • corresponded
  • developed
  • directed
  • drafted
  • edited
  • enlisted
  • formulated
  • influenced
  • interpreted
  • lectured
  • mediated
  • moderated
  • negotiated
  • persuaded
  • promoted
  • publicized
  • reconciled
  • recruited
  • spoke
  • translated
  • wrote
  • acted
  • conceptualized
  • created
  • customized
  • designed
  • developed
  • directed
  • established
  • fashioned
  • founded
  • illustrated
  • initiated
  • instituted
  • integrated
  • introduced
  • invented
  • originated
  • performed
  • planned
  • revitalized
  • shaped
  • assessed
  • assisted
  • clarified
  • coached
  • counseled
  • demonstrated
  • diagnosed
  • educated
  • expedited
  • facilitated
  • familiarized
  • guided
  • motivated
  • referred
  • rehabilitated
  • represented
  • administered
  • analyzed
  • assigned
  • attained
  • chaired
  • consolidated
  • contracted
  • coordinated
  • delegated
  • developed
  • directed
  • evaluated
  • executed
  • improved
  • increased
  • organized
  • oversaw
  • planned
  • prioritized
  • produced
  • recommended
  • reviewed
  • scheduled
  • strengthened
  • supervised
  • clarified
  • collected
  • critiqued
  • diagnosed
  • evaluated
  • examined
  • extracted
  • identified
  • inspected
  • interpreted
  • interviewed
  • investigated
  • organized
  • reviewed
  • summarized
  • surveyed
  • systematized
  • adapted
  • advised
  • clarified
  • coached
  • communicated
  • coordinated
  • demystified
  • developed
  • enabled
  • encouraged
  • evaluated
  • explained
  • facilitated
  • guided
  • informed
  • instructed
  • persuaded
  • set goals
  • stimulated
  • trained
  • assembled
  • built
  • calculated
  • computed
  • designed
  • devised
  • engineered
  • fabricated
  • maintained
  • operated
  • overhauled
  • programmed
  • remodeled
  • repaired
  • solved
  • upgraded
  • achieved
  • expanded
  • improved
  • pioneered
  • reduced (losses)
  • resolved (problems)
  • restored
  • spearheaded
  • transformed

 

A federal resumes is different from traditional resume, as the federal government wants to know as much information as possible during an initial screening. Below is a general outline, but we also recommend checking out government resources including:

Although there is no mandated format for a government resume, federal resumes require more detail than standard resumes. A recent graduate’s federal resume can be two to three pages long.This is different from resumes used to apply for positions in other industries, which is typically one page in length for a recent graduate.

Essentials include:

  • Your personal information
  • Education and coursework levels
  • Work experience
    • Dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, location of position and a supervisor’s contact information
  • Volunteer, service, and leadership experience
  • Projects and skills
  • Any additional qualifications and abilities

Agencies also request eligibility information including:

  • Past or current federal employment
  • Veteran qualifications
  • Non-competitive appointment: Peace Corps and AmeriCorps

Some agencies will accept a standard resume. However, all applications through USAJOBS require you to build your resume through their resume builder, which can be accessed when you create your free account.

Once you have your account, you can:

  • Build and store up to five distinct resumes
  • Save and automate job searches
  • Save and apply for jobs
  • Learn how to use USAJOBS
  • Learn about the federal hiring process
  • Discover special hiring programs
  • Search by agency, occupation, location
  • See which jobs are in demand
  • Apply to federal agencies

A curriculum vitae (CV)  is Latin for “course of life.” It is a comprehensive description of your academic credentials and achievements. It differs from a resume, which is a brief summary of your skills and experience over one or two pages. A CV is more detailed and can stretch well beyond two pages. Graduates with master’s or doctoral degrees are typically required to submit a CV when applying for teaching or research positions at colleges, universities, or research institutions.

How Long Should My CV Be?

CVs for recent PhDs are typically 2-3 pages in length. For more experienced individuals, a CV can be significantly longer.

What Should I Include?

Your CV should showcase the depth and breadth of your accomplishments and contributions. Include the following information:

  • Contact Information – name, personal address, cell phone, email
  • Education – degrees, awarding institutions, dates of completion, GPA
  • Dissertation/Thesis Title(s) – names of advisor(s), if well-known in the field
  • Honors, Awards – fellowships, grants (include dates awarded)
  • Research and Teaching Interests– summary
  • Research Experience
  • Teaching Experience
  • Grant Writing/Proposals
  • Conference Presentations (including dates)
  • Publications – comprehensive list
  • Patent Disclosure(s)
  • Professional Certifications
  • Skills – may include languages, laboratory, computer, programming
  • Activities
  • Community Service
  • Professional Affiliations/Memberships – include description of service/leadership roles

Additional Sections

You can create additional categories as you see fit. Note: different disciplines may require additional sections, such as “Performances” (performing arts) or “Production Highlights” (film). Consult with your advisor and/or other faculty members to learn about conventions for your specific field.

How Should I Organize My CV?

Consider the relevancy of the information to the requirements of the position you seek. What will interest this potential employer the most? Put the most pertinent sections first.

Sample CVs

A sample CV is provided and can be adapted for many different majors. Remember, CVs are used primarily in teaching and research contexts.

Additional Online Resources

  • Job Searching in Academia
  • Create an account with The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Vitae community for up-to-date information and perspectives on job searching in academia
  • Look for CVs of faculty members on departmental websites.
  • Academia.edu – Make a free account and access a variety of resources.

To be considered for some positions, you will be asked to submit a cover letter—and even when a letter is not required, you should consider writing one. The only instance in which you should forego submitting a cover letter would be if the job listing states specifically not to include a cover letter. Your cover letter:

  • Allows you to introduce yourself.
  • Shares why you’re interested in this position.
  • Lets you demonstrate your knowledge of the organization (which you’ve gained by researching the employer).
  • Highlights a few key aspects of your background (education, experiences, skills) that best fit the position.
  • Lets you describe soft skills (e.g. quick learner, effective communicator) that are not fully captured in your résumé.
  • Showcases your writing ability.

A well-written cover letter can set you apart from your competition, allowing you the opportunity to show your passion and personality in a way that your resume cannot.

Make Your Letter Stand Out

  • If possible, address it to a person instead of “To whom it may concern.” Sometimes the contact person’s name is on the website or in the position description. More often, you will have to call the organization’s front desk or Human Resources department. In some cases, the job posting will tell you who to address your cover letter to so read the description very carefully.
  • Analyze the position description carefully and highlight key words and phrases. As with your résumé, infuse these buzzwords into your document.
  • Try to match your experience and expertise to the job requirements point by point, selecting your strongest qualifications that match the position requirements.
  • Tailor your letter to each position and employer, underscoring your relevant skills and experience as well as your knowledge of and interest in the employer. Do not mass produce your cover letter; no two cover letters should contain the same wording and information! Companies will be able to identify if you have not written your cover letter with the specific role you are applying to in mind.
  • Convey passion, enthusiasm, and personality by being authentic; however, make sure the tone reflects the culture of your field. If you’re applying to work for a bank, for example, your tone may be more reserved.
  • Suggest an action plan. Request an interview, and indicate when you will follow up. (Unless you are on a strict timeline, one or two weeks is typical.)
  • Thank your audience for their time and consideration.

Additional Resources

When interviewing candidates for employment or vetting candidates for graduate or professional school, interviewers often request references and letters of recommendation. Good references can elevate a potential candidate to a top choice candidate.Ask at least three individuals if they would be willing to serve as a strong reference to be listed on your reference list, and/or if they would possibly write letters of recommendation for you.

Who Should You Ask?

Select people who are able to provide first-hand examples of your expertise, character, and work ethic. Good references are people who are professional and who hold positions of responsibility. Examples include professors, academic advisors, graduate assistants, internship/work supervisors, teachers, coaches, or community leaders.

Who NOT to Ask

Unless you have worked with them in a professional setting, you may not ask family and friends to be a reference. High school teachers are not appropriate to include after your first year of college.

How Should You Ask?

Depending on your comfort level with the individual, you may choose to visit, call, or email. Ask them respectfully if they are willing to be your reference, and wait for their reply; don’t just assume they will say yes.  If you are requesting a reference by email from someone you haven’t seen in a while (such as a past professor), jog their memory by naming the context where you met. You can even say why you are asking them, e.g., “I really learned a lot about XYZ in your course.”

Important: Be sure to give your references enough notice, particularly if a reference letter or form is required. A minimum of two weeks is generally expected.

Someone may decline to be your reference because they feel they don’t know you well enough, or because they would not be able to provide a glowing recommendation of you. Keep in mind that you want a good reference, so if someone says no, it is probably for the best.

Preparing/Coaching Your References

Once you have your references and letters of recommendations secured, it is important to speak with each person individually about the image you would like conveyed to potential employers. Be sure to share a copy of your résumé, as well as the position description with each of your references. Make sure they know what your career goals are and why you believe you will succeed in that career. Discuss your strengths, weaknesses, leadership skills, and communication abilities with all references. Make sure you like what they have to say about you, otherwise you may need to obtain additional references.

When requesting letters of recommendation or references from professors, faculty advisors, or employment supervisors you need to provide them with the following information.

Also, be sure to give your references a time frame for when you will be conducting your job search and how soon you will need the letters of recommendation. Keep references updated on the progress of your job search and be sure to thank them for their support.

For Professors
  • Your full name and complete contact information
  • Your current résumé
  • A list of courses you have taken that relate to your major and major papers and presentations
  • A list of your strengths, skills, abilities, and notable accomplishments as they relate to your career objective
  • The purpose for which you intend to use the letter/reference
For Employers
  • Your full name and contact information
  • Your current résumé
  • The title of your position, responsibilities, dates of employment, and any honors, awards, or salary increments you received while employed
  • A list of your strengths, skills, abilities, and notable accomplishments as they relate to your career objective
  • The purpose for which you intend to use the letter or recommendation

Following Up

As you progress through the interview process, be sure to keep your references apprised of your interview status. Regardless of whether or not you were successful in obtaining the position, be sure to thank your references for their assistance.

Your list of references should be in a separate document from your résumé. The list should look similar to this:

References for (Your Name)

Name
Title
Company
Company Address
Daytime Telephone
Email

(List three or four professional/academic references. You may also add how long you have known this person.)

 

Are you interested doing research? Preparing to apply to graduate school? If so, as part of the application process, you will be required to highlight your research interests, experience, and education in the form of a personal statement.

Below are some guidelines to follow when constructing your personal statement. In addition, you can make an appointment to review your statement with a career advisor. The Career Center has appointment types for both research and graduate school personal statements.

Purpose

  • To share your interest and enthusiasm for the specific work you are applying to do.
  • To demonstrate what you can contribute to the program to which you are applying.
  • To state the specific laboratory you want to work in and why.
  • To state your professional goals and what or how you hope to contribute to the program.

First Steps

  • Read the personal statement question carefully and analyze what information is being requested.
  • Visualize your audience. Will this be read by a scientist? A physician? An administrator?
  • Create an outline of the 3-4 aspects of your background.  Consider your: education, experience, research interests

Education

  • Describe what led you to select your major
  • Include your year of study, current major, related academic and career goals, and impressive academic credentials.

Experience

  • Mention a special connection to this research/work, such as prior experience or family background.
  • Describe something unique about your research interests or an idea that fuels your own research interests.

Your Proposed Contributions to the Program and How You Would Benefit

  • List personal qualities that would benefit the program, demonstrated through examples.
  • State what you can do for the program and what you seek to gain from the opportunity.
  • Explain how this specific work fits into your academic and research goals, both short- and long-term.

Writing and Mechanics

  • Use strong word choices, particularly verbs and adjectives.
  • Use the more powerful “I am,” rather than “I have always been.”
  • Make positive statements: “I have experience in…” not “I don’t have experience in x, but do have…”
  • Craft clear, engaging opening and closing sentences.
  • Make sure the opening statement is supported in the body and consistent with the closing statement.
  • Organize the statement so it flows from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph.
  • Correct usage conveys your attention to detail.
  • Proofread for grammar, spelling, paragraph breaks, and correct punctuation.

Questions To Ask Yourself

  • Does this statement show my interest in this specific program, or could it be sent to any program?
  • Does this statement describe me specifically, or could any good student in my field use this?

Additional Suggestions

  • Reread the personal statement multiple times out loud for clarity, logic and flow.
  • Have someone else proofread the statement.
  • Share your finished personal statement with the faculty member writing your recommendations.
  • Limit the statement to one and a half to two pages, with spacing of at least one and a half-inches.
  • Include a header with your name on each page. Number all pages.

Avoid

  • Restating the question/topic
  • Listing all your accomplishments. They already have those documents, so
  • Clichés such as “to make the world a better place;” instead, explain exactly how such a lofty goal will be achieved.
  • Providing unrelated information, e.g., explaining when you learned you were not interested in computers.
  • Using phrases like “this opportunity will be fun and interesting for me;” instead, focus on what you can contribute.
  • Any background earlier than high school.

From the UMBC Office of Undergraduate Research.

You may need a personal statement, letter of intent, or application letter when applying to graduate or professional schools. This document can be very challenging to write, as you will need to concisely outline your strengths, goals, experiences, and qualifications while demonstrating good writing skills.

This can be a time-consuming project, so allow plenty of time to work on your statement.

Prep Work

Before you start writing, gather documents such as your transcript, resume and application. Brainstorm information you may need to include in your essay: names of past employers, applicable job titles, experiences, past successes, skills and personal traits you want to specifically communicate. Having the information right in front of you may ease the writing process.

Writing Tips

Answer the Question: If the application asks you to state the reason you are applying to a particular academic program, do not spend the entire letter talking about your qualifications. Instead, include details about what attracted you to the school. To keep yourself accountable to answering the questions, keep the questions in front of you as you write, and refer to them often.

Be sure to be truthful and honest. Do not embellish the truth.

Consider The “I” Problem: This letter is about you. It’s okay to use first person occasionally. However, do not start every sentence with “I.”

Avoid Unnecessary Duplication: Do not reiterate information that is available in other parts of your application, resume or transcript. If the reader has access to your transcript, you do not need to list your grades and course titles. You can be more general in mentioning these topics. For example, include “I was on the Dean’s List” or “I have taken several upper-level psychology courses” and then move on to discuss appropriate experiences in more detail.

Make Your Statement Distinctive: To make your letter unique, include at least one detailed example specific to your own experience. For example, describe how an important family member or personal moment influenced your decision to pursue a particular career or degree. Be careful when using humor to connect with the reader. It is difficult to make someone laugh whom we have never met before. The safe option is to avoid any inappropriate humor unless you are absolutely sure that it will work.

Keep It Brief: To keep your essay brief (essays are typically limited to 250–500 words, or one typed page), write concisely, yet be detailed.  Focus each paragraph on a single idea (for example, one paragraph on the strengths of the program, one on your research experience, one on your extracurricular activities) to keep the essay from becoming too long.

Use a dictionary and thesaurus to provide more word variation and to avoid repetition. However, be careful not to be overly zealous in your use of vocabulary.  Don’t use vocabulary you don’t normally use.

Personal Statement Format

Requirements for personal statements differ, but generally a personal statement includes certain information and can follow the format below:

Introduction: Gain the reader’s attention by starting with a catchy opening, such as the distinctive personal example mentioned earlier. Then, connect the example to the actual

program/position for which you are applying. Mention the specific name of the program. Be straightforward and avoid cheesy clichés and egotism. Avoid using famous quotes.

Detailed Supporting Paragraphs: These paragraphs should address specific application questions. Each paragraph should be specifically focused and support a topic sentence. For example, you may be addressing your qualifications or why you are interested in the program. Regardless, keep your examples relevant to supporting your qualifications.

Conclusion: In the last paragraph, tie together the various examples and claims you have stated in the essay, and reiterate your interest in this specific program. You might also mention how this program will support your long-term goals.

General Suggestions: When applying to multiple graduate schools, have at least one paragraph that you edit so that your essay is targeting that specific program. You might specify that you have a similar research interest that matches faculty interests at that institution.

Revising the Personal Statement

Your personal statement is pivotal to your graduate school application, so you must allow yourself enough time to revise it thoroughly. When revising, check both the content (Did I address the question? Is there enough detail?) and for technical errors (Is the writing clear? Are the mechanics and punctuation correct?). Spell- and grammar-checks are helpful, but do not rely on them exclusively. Read through the essay yourself and have at least three other set of eyes review it as well (e.g. faculty, Career Center staff, The Writing Center).

Remember

  • It’s what you say and how you say it
  • It’s not an autobiography, but it’s the story only you can tell
  • This is your opportunity to: (1) let them know things about you they’re not going to learn through other parts of the application process (i.e., don’t focus on grades and classes which they’ll see in your transcripts), (2) fill in the blanks, (3) connect your past, present and future and (4) synthesize or tie all the pieces of your application together
  • It’s an essay: have a clear intro, conclusion and smooth transitions
  • Answer the questions asked
  • Follow the rules – especially those relating to length

DON’T:

  • Wait until the last minute.  Give yourself plenty of time to make and review several drafts over time
  • Bring up controversial topics, such as strong political viewpoints
  • Focus on high school experiences/accomplishments
  • Use clichés and gimmicks (quotes, “I always wanted to be x….”)
  • Incorporate too much overt self-congratulation (“I’m very compassionate”)
  • Be overconfident to the point of arrogance
  • Start off each sentence with “I…”
  • Waste space detailing what x field is (the reviewers know this and probably know more than you), but do tell them what x field means to you
  • Get too personal or too private – you want it to be a personal statement, but keep it positive and professional.
  • Blame others
  • Focus on negatives. If trying to explain a negative occurrence (i.e. a low GPA, poor test scores, etc.), make sure the problem is in the past, it’s resolved, it’s sympathetic and unlikely to happen again in grad school. You may also consider addressing some problems/negatives in an addendum
  • Use pseudo-academese; you want it to sound like you (tape record yourself reading a draft)
  • Just say what you think the committee wants to hear
  • Include your hobbies/interests unless relevant
  • Write a list of all your hobbies and interests without explaining them

DO:

  • Focus on what makes you unusual, distinctive, impressive – events, experiences (research, internships, hardships overcome), qualities, skills and other things that enhance your probability of success in x field (prove it, though, don’t just say it)
  • Discuss when and how you became interested in the field and what (and how) you’ve learned since
  • Give a sense of your motivations and commitment –  for/to applying to this program and pursuing this field – let your enthusiasm show
  • Capture their attention in the opening paragraph – find an angle, tell a story, make it memorable
  • Keep it clear and concise – be selective
  • Use short paragraphs
  • Get personal – it’s a personal statement after all
  • Put your name and identifying information on all pages
  • Use positive, confident and upbeat language (i.e., “I’m productive with my time” opposed to “I don’t waste time”)
  • Proofread
  • Get feedback (faculty, Career Center staff, Writing Center, etc.)
  • Be concrete – avoid generalities
  • Be honest – committees want personal insight, to get a sense of the real person. They admit people, not credentials
  • Do your homework – research the program, faculty and their research, the institution (catalog, website, etc.). Address compatible areas of interest. Don’t stroke their egos (too obvious)
  • Self-reflect
  • Discuss your goals. What you mention is not a binding contract
  • Sell yourself – discuss how you’ll be an asset to the program/school, what you can contribute, how’ll you add to the program’s legacy and reputation

Additional Resources

Petersons.com

To learn more about summer research, visit  Undergraduate Research & Prestigious Scholarships

For information about applying to graduate school, visit the Applying to Graduate School page.

What is a writing sample and why is it necessary?

In today’s competitive job market, applicants—even those applying to positions not related directly to writing—may be required to submit writing samples. These are primarily used to determine writing ability, show literary and grammar skills, and reflect one’s overall writing style.

What should I consider when selecting a writing sample?

  • Follow employers instructions; it is fine to ask for clarity if you are unsure.
  • If the employer does not specify, submit a sample that closely matches the subject matter or position.
  • If you have no relevant work experience (i.e., you are applying for an entry-level job), you may submit a school assignment. A lab report would work for a science-related position. An assignment from a business or technical writing class would also be appropriate.

Are certain samples inappropriate?

  • Submitting outdated samples (older than one year) is not a good idea.  Doing so communicates that you have not kept current.
  • Avoid samples that have no relevancy to your industry/expertise. For example, a creative or narrative writing sample would not be appropriate when applying to a scientific or technical position, whereas it might work well for other positions or graduate programs. Try to match your sample to the kind of writing you will be doing on the job.
  • Blogs are discouraged unless they are professional sounding and relevant to your field.
  • Avoid sending samples on political or religious topics.

What if I don’t have an appropriate, recent sample?

  • Write one! There is no rule that your writing sample must be something you wrote for work or a class.

How long should a writing sample be?

  • Samples should be concise and succinct: one to four pages are usually sufficient.  In many cases, reviewers are primarily interested in how well you convey your ideas (structure and grammatical accuracy) as opposed to content.
  • You may provide an excerpt of a longer paper, as long as the excerpt makes sense as a stand-alone document. If your sample is an excerpt of a longer work, be sure to note that on the first page.

Can I submit a sample I co-authored?

  • It is permissible to send a sample that was a collaboration between you and another person; however, it’s best to do so if collaborative efforts are a part of the position for which you are applying.
  • It is best to also include other samples where you are the sole author.

Are there any precautions I need to take when submitting samples?

  • Be sure to protect confidential information included in your documents. Change or remove names, company names, addresses, etc., to protect the identity of those referenced.
  • Edit your sample! Just because you received a good grade on a paper doesn’t mean it’s free from errors.

Start gathering samples now!

You never know when you might be asked to submit a writing sample. Consider developing a portfolio of well-written pieces so they will be accessible when needed. Choose samples that represent a full range of skills: samples of how well you summarize and convey complex ideas, research papers, editorials, articles, journals and blogs (relevant ones). You can keep a few of your best writing samples in Handshake.

Adapted from, “Tips to Get Your Writing Sample Right for a Job Application” by Margot Charmichael Lester)

A professional portfolio provides you the opportunity to make your resume come alive. It is a collection of educational and professional achievements, which may include writing samples, peer and mentor observations, and projects. These artifacts may be presented in hard copy or digitally as an electronic/online portfolio to an employer during an interview to visually demonstrate your skills, experiences, qualifications, accomplishments, and achievements. Portfolios may be used by students across all majors to document accomplishments and contributions.

Presenting a portfolio demonstrates that you are prepared and refreshes your memory about which achievements and skills are important to share with to the interviewer. A portfolio may especially be valuable if you are seeking a career in visual arts, teaching, engineering, or writing, where samples of your work are often requested. Students majoring in technical fields may also find it helpful to prepare an e-portfolio of programming projects, which can demonstrate a degree of proficiency with programming languages.

Professional portfolios are an effective tool to augment your resume throughout your job search.

  • Determine if a paper or electronic portfolio best meets your needs
  • Gather relevant artifacts and examples of your skills, values, abilities, work, and achievements. Use the list below to help think of examples
  • Create a structure that best highlights your skills and achievements based on your career objective
  • Assemble and reflect on items to supplement your interview process or job search
  • Use the Career Center to have your portfolio reviewed by a career advisor

Potential documents include

Education/Training
  • Certificates, brochures, syllabi describing special training and licenses
  • Instructor evaluations
  • Transcripts
  • Conferences and workshops attended (name tag or program)
Skill Demonstration
  • Examples of problem solving (figures or pictures showing improvements)
  • Leadership (committees served or projects initiated)
  • Evidence of public speaking (speech outline, brochure for your presentation, photos of you at the podium)
  • Writing samples (e.g., an excerpt from a paper or report)
  • Documentation of computer skills (samples of online work, desktop publishing documents, programming print-outs)
  • Project results/data
  • Sample art work achievements
Awards/Honors
  • Letters of commendation or thanks
  • List of professional accomplishments
  • Newspaper articles in which you were mentioned
Professional Development
  • Professional organizations
  • Your goals
  • Reflection/professional statement of interests and goals
Past Work Experience
  • Resumes
  • Records showing how your clients did after receiving your services
  • Data (graphs, charts) showing your accomplishments/progress/work results
  • Reports
  • Performance reviews
  • Letters of recommendation/reference list

Online portfolios are an innovative way to showcase and display your work to employers or graduate schools. The need for such a tool is an emerging necessity as the job marketplace becomes more competitive, and students seek creative ways to stand out from their fellow job seekers.

You can send e-portfolios before an interview and as a link on your resume or LinkedIn profile.

There are multiple free sites that allow you to create an E-Portfolio:

Remember, a portfolio should be used as a supplement to your explanations during the interview. You should still prepare your answers thoroughly. If you have supporting documents to verify your expertise, then you should share this information. If you have questions about the proper way to use a portfolio, consult the Career Center.

For more information

WikiHow Visual Guide to Portfolios

Sign Up for Interfolio  |   Interfolio Help

If headed to graduate school, consider using Interfolio to manage and send your Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, and more.

The Interfolio online credentials management system, Dossier, is available to UMBC students and alumni. Interfolio is an easy and affordable way for students to send confidential letters of recommendation to a potential employer; application materials to graduate and professional schools; teachers to apply for a new position; or a PhDs to send academic credentials to a search committee.

To get started, sign up for an account and then you may provide information on where to upload documents to your account to individuals who have agreed to write letters of recommendation for you.

A variety of documents can be stored in your account, including, but not limited to:

  • Confidential letters of recommendation
  • Resumes
  • Curriculum Vitaes
  • Writing samples
  • Dissertation abstracts
  • Supervising teacher evaluations
  • Student and peer evaluations
  • Transcripts

What you get

  • Constant access. The online system lets you manage your portfolio whenever and wherever you want.
  • Comprehensive deliveries. Interfolio allows you upload all documents needed for your application in one professional package.
  • Low cost. Since you may send all documents together, you only need one delivery for each application, saving you money and time.
  • Customized deliveries. You may select a unique set of documents for each delivery. You may also specify the order in which your materials are packaged, so your presentation is powerful and persuasive.
  • Self-managed files. With Interfolio, you have control of your portfolio. You don’t have to rely on others to make decisions about which documents are delivered on your behalf.
  • Lightning-fast delivery. We send every delivery within one business day of your request. If you need to meet a deadline, we can send express deliveries the same day (as long as you make the request by 2 p.m. EST).

To Create a New Account

It takes just a few minutes to create an account and begin building your portfolio immediately. Account set-up and maintenance fees are as low as $48 a year.

Sign Up for Interfolio  |   Interfolio Help