2 Create a Professional Résumé and Cover Letter.
What is a resume? A resume is a document that summarizes your work experience, education, skills, and accomplishments. It is typically used to apply for jobs and is often the first impression a potential employer has of you.
What is a cover letter? A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It allows you to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the position, and highlight how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate.
Creating a resume and Cover letter can help you:
- Get noticed by employers: Your resume and cover letter are often the first things an employer sees about you. Having good ones can help you stand out from other people applying for the same job.
- Show what you can do: Even if you have not had a real job yet, you probably have skills and experiences worth mentioning. Maybe you’ve helped with a school club, volunteered, or learned a useful skill. Your resume and cover letter let you talk about these things.
- Be ready for opportunities: Having a resume and cover letter ready means you are prepared when a job or internship opportunity comes up.
Information
Resume and Cover Letter Instructions
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Review the Required Sections:
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Carefully look at the provided resume and cover letter guidelines to understand the correct format, structure, and content expected.
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Use an AI Tool to Create Your Documents:
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Choose an AI application below to build your resume and cover letter.
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Make sure to personalize and edit your documents to reflect your own experience, skills, and style before submission.
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RESUME
Resume Required Sections
| Category | Description | Yes / No |
| 1. Contact Information | Includes full name, email, phone number, and city/state (no full street address). | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Includes LinkedIn, e-portfolio, or other professional link (if available). | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| 2. Education Section | Lists school name, degree, field of study, location, and graduation date. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Optional: Includes GPA (if 3.5+ and student chooses to include it). | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Optional: Lists relevant coursework, honors, or awards (e.g., Dean’s List). | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| 3. Experience Section | Lists job title, organization name, location (city, state), and start/end dates (or “Present”). | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Uses concise bullet points describing tasks, achievements, or responsibilities. | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| 4. Skills Section | Includes relevant skills that match prior experience or job goals. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| 5. Professional Summary | Includes 2–3 sentences summarizing the student’s goals, skills, and experience. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Tone fits one of three styles: simple, formal, or upbeat. | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| 6. Extras (Optional) | Includes any additional information such as languages, certificates, awards, clubs, volunteering, or leadership roles. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| 7. Formatting | Consistent font, spacing, and alignment throughout the document. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Sections are clearly labeled and organized (e.g., Contact, Education, Experience, Skills). | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Resume fits on one page (recommended for students). | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
Creating a Resume using AI.
1. Use Career Builder for SEEK Students
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Use Career Builder for SEEK Students to help you build your resume. Click here for Access, you will need to sign up for an account. Career Builder for SEEK Students
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Edit and revise your resume to fit your own experiences, wording, and personal style.
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Ensure your resume includes all required sections to meet Career Advisor approval:
2. Using ResumeBuilder.com
- Visit the Website: Go to ResumeBuilder.com.
- Sign Up or Log In: If you don’t have an account, click on “Sign Up” to create one. If you already have an account, click on “Log In” and enter your credentials.
- Tutorial to navigate ResumeBuilder
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Ensure your resume includes all required sections to meet Career Advisor approval:
COVER LETTER
Cover Letter Required Sections
| Category | Description | Yes / No |
| Heading | Includes the student’s name, contact information, and date at the top. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Greeting | Includes a professional greeting (e.g., “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear [Name],”). | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Introduction | States what job or position the student is applying for and where they found it. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Mentions one or two key skills or experiences that relate to the job. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Body Paragraph 2 (optional) | Provides a short example or connects experience to the company’s needs. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Closing | Includes a thank you and a call to action (e.g., “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications.”). | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Professional Tone | Maintains clear, polite, and professional language throughout. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Formatting | Uses correct spacing, alignment, and readable font. | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
| Grammar/Mechanics | Free from major spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. |
Creating a Cover Letter using AI.
1. Use Career Builder for SEEK Students
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Use Career Builder for SEEK Students to help you build your cover letter. Click here for Access, you will need to sign up for an account. Career Builder for SEEK Students
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Edit and revise your cover letter to fit your own experiences, wording, and personal style.
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Ensure your resume includes all required sections to meet Career Advisor approval:
2. Using ResumeBuilder.com
- Visit the Website: Go to ResumeBuilder.com.
- Sign Up or Log In: If you don’t have an account, click on “Sign Up” to create one. If you already have an account, click on “Log In” and enter your credentials.
- Tutorial to navigate ResumeBuilder
- Ensure your resume includes all required sections to meet Career Advisor approval:
Sample Resume and Cover Letter
MEC Sample Chronological Resume
Resume-Cover Letter MEC Presentation – Embarking on Your Career
https://www.intelligent.com/careers/student-resume-examples/
SUPPORT/FEEDBACK
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- Get help with creating a resume and cover letter by submitting your request through the SEEK Academic Support Center (ASC) system. Click here to complete the survey.
- For those in AGRO 103 course ( SEEK Career Readiness Course), you can get feedback from your Professor.
- Contact your advisors for assistance:
Dr. Rebecca Reid – rcenatus@mec.cuny.edu
Ms. Takisha Randall – Trandall@mec.cuny.edu
Dr. Jewel James – jjames@mec.cuny.edu
References
Unlocking the Potential of Your Credentials with a Winning Cover Letter and Resume. (n.d.). from https://invercargillresume.co.nz/unveiling-the-impact-of-a-strong-cover-letter-and-resume?
What Is a Cover Letter? Definition & What to Include. (n.d.). from https://resumegenius.com/blog/cover-letter-help/what-is-a-cover-letter?
What Is a Resume? (Definition, Types and What To Include) | Indeed.com. (n.d.). from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/what-is-a-resume?
