how to write an academic resume for college

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9 Academic Resume Examples + Complete Guide

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Academic Resume

• Academic Resumes for Students
• Academic Resumes for Advisors
• Other Academic Resumes

How to Write an Academic Resume

If you’re applying to a Ph.D. program, looking to be a research assistant, or planning to teach at the college level, employers may request that you submit a CV instead. There are some  key differences between a CV and a resume  you’ll want to know about.

If you’re still looking to generate a cover letter or  write a resume , stick with us. We’ve reviewed hundreds of academic resumes and highlighted common mistakes job seekers make. With this information, we’ve created the perfect resume for applicants in various academic fields and practices.

Whether you’re looking for a job as an academic advisor or wanting to advance your research or student career,  we’ll show you the best nine academic resume samples that worked in 2024.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Be specific and to the point while conveying your best.
• Customize your objective by mentioning the target business by name and sprinkling in some relevant keywords from the  job description .
• Use industry-specific terms in your academic resume and pepper it with solid metrics to demonstrate your impact. 
• For example, saying you “prepared 3-4 genomic samples per week from DNA for sequencing” shows your industry familiarity while using numbers to offer an easy-to-read glimpse of your duties.

Scholarship Academic Resume

• Add any projects that you’ve been a part of or have volunteered for. Since you’re only a graduate, academic institutions know you won’t have much experience to showcase. As long as your resume contains coherent future goals backed by relevant experience, you’ll be good to go!

High School Academic Resume

• When writing your high school academic resume , try to be concise without leaving out important information. Using words like ‘successfully’ or ‘skillfully’ will only take up extra space and may be considered filler.
• We suggest using the reverse-chronological  resume format  for an easy-to-read, logical flow.
• Reverse-chronological formatting orders your work experience and education from the most recent to the oldest, so employers get to the most relevant stuff first.
• Double-check your resume  work experience bullet points to ensure they take less than three lines and stick to between 20 to 200 characters per bullet. 

College Academic Resume

• The most critical sections in your college academic resume are the contact information, work experience, skills, and education.
• For example, “Inspected, maintained, and ordered repairs for medical equipment, reducing repair costs by $27K in 2018” proves that you won’t need a lot of training and will add value right away.

Grad School Academic Resume

• Your grad school academic resume should highlight your dependability and commitment to excellence.
• For example, “Developed action plans for 15 chemistry students based on academic goals and personal needs”
• Lastly, polish it off with a hint of subtle color for pop while remaining professional, and don’t be afraid to have just a touch of white space.

Academic Advisor No Experience Resume

• If you have any project experience with researching fields of study or guiding students toward their future, add them at all costs! Any amount of experience with improving a student’s learning ability and grades will do wonders too.

Academic Advisor Resume

• Quantifying your impact provides a numerical overview of what recruiters can expect from you.
• How many students did I advise?
• Did I help students obtain scholarship money? If so, how much?
• Did I get positive performance reviews?
• Don’t exaggerate your results or  resume skills , hoping to impress recruiters. It will break their trust and put too much pressure on you if hired. 

Academic Coach Resume

• This won’t just underscore your commitment to continual learning and adherence to international coaching standards. It also reflects your expertise in dealing with familial and youth-related situations, a skill crucial for academic mentorship. Other certifications you could flaunt in your piece are Instructional Coaching Penn GSE and ALC Academic Life Coaching.

Academic Library Resume

• Suppose you once served as a receptionist where you handled social media, managed documents, or used tools like Microsoft Teams to better communicate with internal teams. Transferable skills learned from these experiences can prove useful in your quest for the library role.

Related resume guides

• Grad school
• Teacher Assistant
• College graduate
• Executive assistant

No matter where you are in your academic career, we can walk you through in four easy steps how to write your own academic resume. As you work through these steps, you’ll find the academic resume samples above will help you stay on track and give you the inspiration you need to make your own.

Use a reverse-chronological format to list experience, volunteer efforts, and personal and academic projects. If you’re between early high school or post-graduate school, we bet you have academic and personal projects, like research, internships, mentoring, volunteering, etc. that you can talk about in reverse-chronological order.

Functional and combo formats are tempting, but a reverse timeline will give recruiters the best insight into your skills and what you offer.

Especially if pursuing higher education, list the school, degree, and year you earned the degree in your academic resume. If you’re still studying, set the date to the anticipated graduation year.

List relevant courses to your degree plan. For example, if you’re a Biology major wanting a research assistant position, Biology of Mammalian Cells and Tissues would be a relevant course. You can also include a high GPA as well as honors, awards, and affiliations.

Briefly explain how the skills you’ve gained from your academic background (UCLA graduate with 3+ years of assisting and supervising biological research) couple well with the role (collaborate with a multi-disciplinarian team in life-science research) you’re seeking at a specific organization.

As you read a company’s job ad, what qualities and traits are important for the role that resonate with you? Let that be your springboard to write a customized career objective.

Share results whether the work you’ve done has been paid work, volunteer work, or even class projects. For example, maybe you volunteered to mentor students at a tutor center.

Rather than say you developed lessons or communicated with parents, discuss outcomes that speak to your abilities. “Worked one on one with students to improve math scores by one letter grade” or “increased student enrollment by 8% with new referral program” speaks volumes about your work!

These kinds of bullet points also make a great launching pad for story-telling in your academic cover letter .

How to Write a Resume for College – A CollegeAdvisor Guide

How to write a resume for college – introduction.

Standing out as a stellar applicant in the college admissions process is tough. One way to separate yourself from the crowd is by crafting a strong resume for college. Your college resume can highlight information about your background, activities, and achievements. Some of these might not be indicated elsewhere in your college application or recommendation letters . 

In this article, we will teach you how to write a college resume. We’ll highlight 5 simple steps to building your college application resume. We will also discuss what a college resume is and why you may need a resume for college. Additionally, we will provide examples on how to write a resume for college by reviewing college resume examples. Finally, we’ll walk you through some college resume templates in our example college resumes.

So, let’s look at how to write a college resume and explain what makes a good college resume, why you should include a resume for college in your applications, and more!

What is a college resume? 

A high school resume is typically a one-page document that complements your college application . Your high school resume (or college resume) can help you showcase your achievements and extracurriculars for college. It does this by sharing information that is not elsewhere within your college applications. The goal of a college resume is to show the college admissions officers who you are and how you spend your time outside of the classroom . 

Before we jump into how to write a college resume, let’s examine some things that make up a good college resume.

A good college resume should include: 

• Clear structure
• Concise language (bullet points over essay-style)
• Relevant details
• Strong formatting

As we discuss how to write a resume for college, you might wonder what purpose a college resume serves. In short, a college resume is a summary of experiences that you can use to add depth to your college applications. You can also think of a college resume as your high school resume, or a resume for college. Your college resume will include a brief description of each of your experiences and extracurriculars for college. 

While we examine how to write a resume for college, you should first note that your college resume should include key details like your educational details, GPA , extracurricular activities/jobs, and honors/awards. As we’ll discuss, your college resume will have other key features. We’ll go through each of these as we learn how to write a resume for college. 

Many colleges list a college resume within their college application requirements. But, even if a college resume is not listed in the college application requirements, we recommend creating one anyway. 

We will look at a sample college resume later in this article, along with a 5-step guide to creating a resume for college that you can use as you begin writing your college resume. 

Do I need a resume for my college applications? 

No, you do not necessarily need to include a college resume with your college applications. However, a high school resume or resume for college can be a helpful tool in the college admissions process. 

So, how could including a resume for college application be beneficial? First, including a college resume in your college applications can help highlight your skills, experiences, and qualifications to the admissions office of your dream school.  

Having a college resume can help you showcase your extracurricular activities in your college applications. You can highlight leadership positions, accomplishments, interests, and activities on your college resume that might not appear elsewhere in your college applications. 

Creating a resume for college application can also demonstrate your accomplishments and experiences to college admissions officers. Even if a high school resume is optional in the list of college application requirements, including one in your college applications can help you stand out. Standing out is incredibly important in the admissions process, especially if your ideal college is high on the list of college rankings . 

It is a good idea to start putting together your college resume as you near the end of high school.

You may forget the names of clubs, supervisors, mentors, teachers, etc. as you get ready to apply to college. So, the earlier you can gather all the information for your high school resume, the better! That way, all of your experiences are fresh in your mind, and you can create the strongest resume for college possible. 

When should I prepare my college resume? 

As you begin the process of applying to college, you might be wondering when to prepare your college resume. The ideal timeline for creating your high school resume can start as early as 9 th grade. 

In general, you won’t want to include anything on your high school resume before 9 th grade. Like other college application requirements, college admissions officers are only interested in the activities you have participated in during high school. 

Keep a list starting in 9th grade

As early as 9 th grade, you can start keeping a list of your accomplishments and activities. Even though you won’t need to format this list into a college resume yet, it will be the basis for your future college application resume.

As you begin the college admissions process, you can use the list you created and turn it into a college resume. As you apply to college and prepare your college resume, research which college resume format works best for you. Reviewing a sample college resume or college resume template can help you find the perfect college resume format. 

As you look through college resume examples, think about which aspects of the college resume template you like the best. Then, adapt things from those college resume examples to fit your college resume. Once you have decided on a college resume format, list your accomplishments, jobs, and activities within that college resume format. 

Summer before senior year

The best time to create your high school resume is during the summer before your senior year. This gives you plenty of time to perfect your college application resume. 

We’ll examine the necessary components of a successful college resume in the next section of this article. So, read on!

What should a high school student put on a resume? 

As you begin the college admissions process, you may be asking yourself what to include on your high school resume. You can start the college application resume writing process by brainstorming how you spend your time outside of your courses. 

Think about everything you have done or achieved since you started high school and write it down. Your high school resume should highlight your activities, interests, and skills. Pay particular attention to these factors as you consider what to include on your high school resume.

Your high school resume will be organized categorically. Some of the most common categories for a resume for college application include personal information, work experience, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience/community service, education, and skills.  In addition to the categories listed above, below is a list of some other things that high school students should list on their resume for college.

Top ten things to list on your college resume:

• School name and address
• Contact Info
• GPA or Class rank, if applicable
• Internships & volunteer roles
• Awards and honors
• Extracurricular activities
• Leadership positions
• Language competencies

As we mentioned earlier, you may not have information or experiences for every category listed above. That’s perfectly fine! Focus on what applies to you and what you can include on your high school resume as you learn how to write a college resume. 

What does not belong on my high school resume? 

Now that we have examined what to include on your high school resume, let’s discuss what does not belong on your college application resume. 

Keep it current

In general, you should avoid including any activity or achievement from before 9 th grade on your resume for college. However, it’s okay to include something that is particularly impressive and/or attached to a current activity. 

For example, if you have 12 years of experience in playing the violin, you will want to include that on your high school resume. However, if you joined your middle school band for a semester, you should likely leave that out of your college resume. Your resume for college should reflect activities that matter to you now.

Avoid listing daily duties

There is no need to include informal everyday activities on your college resume, such as cooking for your family or cleaning around the house. When you are crafting your resume for college, it’s best to stick to things that are relevant to admissions committees or future employers. 

Note that this is one area where your college resume differs from your activities list. For instance, if you spend considerable time caretaking your three siblings, you may choose to include that on your activities list within the Common App. However, the same responsibilities likely shouldn’t appear on your resume for college.

Keep it clear

As you examine college resume templates and college resume examples, take note of the language and structure in a sample college resume. It’s important to use concise language and clear structure throughout your resume for college. 

Additionally, do not include excessive text or overly detailed explanations on your college application resume. You want your resume for college to be simple and clear. In general, you should limit your high school resume to one page, or two at the absolute maximum. Most people who review your college resume will spend about 30 seconds with it. So, your resume for college should be easily scanned, above all. 

When you use concise language throughout your college resume, it will make it easier for your reader to understand your accomplishments. Because most people will skim your high school resume, having a clear structure throughout will make it easy to read. Keep it simple and keep it consistent. 

Steer clear of images and graphics

While you might come across this in your college resume format research, it’s best to avoid including images or graphics in your college application resume. Although this is a new trend and can be seen on multiple college resume examples and college resume templates, it can be distracting and take up valuable space on your high school resume.  

For instance, if you volunteered at twelve different soup kitchens, there is no need to list each one separately. That will become tedious and take up too much space on your essential resume for college application. 

Finally, you should never misrepresent your qualifications on your high school resume. Be honest about your involvements, however many you have. It’s not worth potentially getting caught in a lie or an exaggeration during a college interview.

Where do I submit my college application resume? 

While you apply to college, you might be wondering what to do with your resume for college applications. Many college application portals will include a section for your college resume, especially if a resume for college is listed as one of the college application requirements. 

Most college application portals list the high school resume section as optional. While you are applying to college, you might notice that most colleges require that you fill out an activities section as part of the application process. The activities section will ask you to list your extracurriculars for college. Often, your activities section will serve the same purpose as your college resume. 

If you choose to include a high school resume with your college application, it should reflect your accomplishments in more detail than your activities section. Additionally, if you choose to include a resume for college with your application, make sure it adds something new to your activities list. 

You will receive access to your college’s application portal once you have completed the process of applying to college but before you receive a college acceptance letter and officially enroll . When it’s time to upload your high school resume, be sure to upload it as a PDF rather than a Word document. That way, you can ensure that your formatting of your college resume stays consistent on every application. 

We’ll provide more details about the college resume format later in this article, when we examine college resume examples and college resume templates. 

How often should I update my college resume? 

It may be helpful to update your resume (or other records) every six months to a year in order to avoid missing any important details. You can use your college resume for more than just your college application requirements. In fact, there may be internships or other opportunities you seek out in high school that will ask you to submit a high school resume. Updating your college resume often will help you keep track of your experiences and accomplishments. 

In general, you should update your high school resume as often as it works for you. However, when you are almost done applying to college , you will want to make sure that your college resume is up-to-date and accurate before including it with your application. 

No matter how often you update your resume for college applications, we encourage you to keep copies of any old college resume examples you might have. Having old copies of your college resume can help you in the future as you begin to tailor your college resume for potential reviewers. 

How to write a resume for college

Now that we have a better understanding of what makes up a college resume, let’s focus on how to write a resume for college. You can begin writing your college resume by creating a list of your key details . Your key details will be the starting point for your college resume. 

First, you will include information about where you go to school, as well as your current GPA and any Honors statuses. You will also want to list your academic interests on your high school resume, including what you hope to study or pursue beyond high school. 

You will also include your extracurricular activities and the years you engaged in them on your resume for college. Additionally, you will want to add any jobs or internships you have had and the dates you held them. You can also list any leadership positions and the years you held them on your college resume. 

Finally, you will want to include any special skills you have on your resume for college. This can include certifications as well. 

Once you have a list of your key details, you will want to organize these details into sections on your high school resume. For some, these sections might include Objective, Education, Leadership Positions, Work and Internship History, and Special Skills.  

College Resume Walkthrough

Linked about is our college resume walkthrough. Let’s do another walkthrough of these sections here to see what kind of information to include in each one. 

Your objective is the reason why you are writing your college resume. This section will vary depending on where you send your resume. 

If you are creating a resume for college applications, you should include information about your intended major or future career in this section. However, if you are sending your high school resume to a potential employer, your objective section will include information about why you are uniquely skilled for the job. 

Education 

The education section of your college resume should include all high schools you have attended, along with your GPA and anticipated date of graduation. 

If your high school provides you with a class rank, you can also include that piece of information within this section of your resume for college. 

Additionally, you can include your SAT or ACT score within this section, especially if you are submitting your resume for college applications. 

Leadership Positions 

Be sure to highlight any leadership positions you have held in your college resume. This includes any appointed positions you have received and even informal leadership positions. 

For example, if you were voted Class President of your Student Council, you can include that information here. Or maybe you are a peer mentor on your soccer team—you can include those details within this section of your college resume. 

Work and Internship History 

This section of your high school resume will list your whole work history, including internships , summer jobs , or part-time jobs. 

You will want to include the job title, company, dates of employment, and a brief outline of your duties for each of the work or internship experiences in this section of your resume for college. 

Special Skills 

Finally, this section of your college resume will outline any technical or soft skills you might have. Soft skills include things like teamwork, communication skills, and conflict resolution. 

In this section of your resume for college, you can also include any languages you speak or certifications you have. 

After you have organized your high school resume into sections, you will want to include a bulleted list detailing your responsibilities within each of your engagements/leadership roles. Be sure to include only relevant details in your descriptions, as it’s important to be concise on your college resume.  

Remember to include the years for every role/activity on your college resume. You will want to list them with the most recent positions/activities at the top of your resume for college. 

College resume format

Your college resume format is one of the most important features to consider as you apply to college. As you construct your college resume format, make sure that it’s readable. 

Most people won’t look at your college resume for more than 30 seconds. So, any reader should be able to skim your high school resume and come away with a relatively clear idea of your qualifications and background. 

The ideal college resume format will have the name of the student clearly listed at the top of the college resume. Another aspect of a strong college resume format will have clear sections with strong headlines. Additionally, the best college resume format will include bulleted lists where appropriate. 

We will look at the college resume format in action as we review some college resume examples and college resume templates. 

College resume examples

As we review our sample college resume, we will explain how to use it to craft your own college resume when you apply to college. Use this sample college resume as a reference point for your resume for college. Then, adapt it to fit your own unique needs. 

We will discuss the sample college resume in the next two sections of this article. As we review the sample college resume, pay particular attention to what makes this college resume clear and effective. You can use this sample college resume as a college resume builder while you apply to college. 

At first glance, you can see that this college resume is organized. This resume for college has clear sections and a concise structure. What makes this college resume clear and effective is its formatting, language, and length. Be sure to incorporate these same elements into your own high school resume as you apply to college. 

Remember, this sample college resume is just one of many college resume examples available. Figure out what you like best about this sample college resume and use it to craft your own college resume. 

Sample college resume – What works? 

The key features of this sample college resume are its formatting, language, and length. Focusing on these in your own college resume will ensure that your resume for college stands out. 

Clear delineated sections

The formatting in this college resume works so well because it includes clearly delineated sections and organized by year. Keeping your information and experiences organized by year is an effective format for a resume for college applications. 

Simple and straightforward language

Another feature of this college resume that works well is the language. There is clear language and details throughout this resume for college that provide context for each role and accomplishment. For example, each of the work experiences in this high school resume feature a brief description of the student’s role and duties/responsibilities. 

Concise structure

Additionally, this resume for college application features a concise structure that helps the reader clearly understand the purpose of each section. The descriptions within this college resume are brief but comprehensive. Having a concise structure and clear language throughout your college resume is key. 

The final key feature that works well in this college resume is the length. This resume for college is just one page in length. Ideally, you want your college resume to fit on one page, but that is not a hard and fast rule. If you have a wealth of experiences and extracurriculars for college, your college resume can go over the typical one-page length. 

Even though this high school resume is a little over one page, it does not have any irrelevant details or extraneous information on it. As you begin writing your college resume, be sure to only include relevant details on it. 

As you learn how to write a college resume, keep track of what features work well and incorporate them into your own college resume. If you are unsure if the sample college resume will work for your college resume, don’t worry. There are plenty of college resume examples and college resume templates to choose from as you are applying to college. 

College resume template

There are multiple college resume examples that you can review as you start your college resume or college application letter . Looking at a college resume template can help you decide on the formatting, language, and length that works best for you. 

Hunter College has a web page with college resume examples and college resume templates. Use it as a resource as you build your high school resume. 

If possible, you should avoid using form templates as you construct your college resume. Instead, think of the college resume template as a guide. You should aim to format your resume for college in the way that works best for you. 

It’s best to be a bit unique as you create your high school resume. Looking at a college resume template can help you find your own distinct style. You can also incorporate different aspects from a college resume template into your own college resume. 

However, be sure to avoid any hard-to-read fonts or unnecessary details in your formatting as you learn how to write a college resume. While your resume shouldn’t look like it was made using a stock college resume template, it also should not be overly crowded.

College resume builder

There are also college resume builder resources, like this one from Wheaton College , that will help students build their college resumes. You can use a college resume builder to format your own resume for college. 

At CollegeAdvisor.com, we host webinars on topics that help you apply to college. We have a webinar on how to write a resume for college, with plenty of college resume examples. We also have a webinar with advice from former Admissions Officers on how to build your college resume. 

Once again, you should generally avoid a pre-formatted college resume builder or college resume template. Instead, use these college resume examples as a jumping off point as you begin the college admissions process. 

Formatting your high school resume yourself makes it easier to make any quick edits or fix any formatting quirks. If you were to use a college resume builder or college resume template, these adjustments may be a challenge. 

Build your College Resume in 5 Simple Steps

Having examined some college resume examples, let’s review 5 simple steps for how to write a resume for college. 

Five Steps to Build your College Resume

Make an accurate list of your experiences, awards, education, and qualifications. You will use this list as the outline for your resume for college. 

Choose the best college resume format for the job. Before you finalize your choice of college resume format , review a college resume template or college resume examples for guidance. Then, create a resume header for your college resume. 

Add your accurate information by section on your resume for college. Reference the college resume examples you reviewed previously to choose the sections you will use on your high school resume. Organize each list by year, placing the most recent item at the top of your resume for college. Be sure to separate your extracurricular experiences from your awards/honors, creating two lists (or more if necessary). 

Format your lists to be clear and readable , and add your name and contact information as the header of your college resume. 

Ask a friend, family member, or mentor to copy edit your resume for college! Having another set of eyes on your high school resume will help you create the strongest resume for college possible. 

How to write a college resume – Final Thoughts

In this article, we reviewed how to write a college resume. As we discussed the purpose of a college application resume, we examined college resume examples and described key features that work in a college resume. We hope the college resume examples we featured in our article on how to write a resume for college help you craft your high school resume as you apply to college.

Need help crafting the perfect college application resume? CollegeAdvisor.com can teach you how to write a resume for college. Register for a free CollegeAdvisor.com account and receive access to hundreds of articles and webinars. These resources will help you craft your college resume as you begin applying to college.

This article was written by  Claire Babbs . If you want to get help with your college applications from Claire or other  CollegeAdvisor.com  Admissions Experts , click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Academic resume example & writing guide

College isn’t for everybody, but for some people, you can barely drag them away. They get a bachelor’s, a master’s, a Ph.D. and still they won’t leave. Next thing you know, they’re standing at the other end of the classroom as teaching assistants, lecturers and eventually full-fledged professors. If that sounds like your dream life, this academic resume example and writing guide can help unlock the doors to the ivory towers of a career in higher education.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What academic professionals do

How to write an academic resume

• Distinctions between a normal resume and an academic CV
• The five essential elements of a resume and how to write them: header, summary, employment history, education and skills
• Format, design and layout considerations

Resume.io’s collection of writing tips and resources are designed to give you the best possible chance of landing your dream position. This academic resume sample is one of our more than 300 guides and resume examples all crafted with care to help you finish your application in just a few clicks.

What does an academic do?

Colleges and universities employ a wide variety of workers, from groundskeepers to librarians, but the word “academic” conjures up images of a brilliant if socially awkward professor, perhaps with stylish brown patches on the elbows of his blazer.

Most college professors teach, of course, but not all — some are too busy doing world-changing research, publishing best-selling books, running university departments or jetting off to Sweden to accept their Nobel Prizes. 

So while top-tier professors are busy searching for all the dark matter in the universe, who teaches their classes? Lecturers, assistant lecturers, teaching assistants and associate professors often step in to instruct the unwashed masses of college students. Lecturers are usually working professionals whose experience has made them experts in their field, while lower-level professors are generally those who have not yet attained tenure. 

Henry Louis Gates Jr. is a professor at Harvard who has published more books than you could count on all your fingers and toes … so do we really expect him to be grading freshmen’s pop quizzes? This is where teaching assistants come in, helping professors with the demands of daily coursework, assignments, lab work, office hours and yes, grading tests. 

All of these (and more) are academics — highly educated professionals dedicated to making the world a smarter place. 

If you can write an 80,000-word dissertation about muons and quarks, writing a one-page academic resume might seem like a pesky chore. But good luck getting a job without one!

Some definitions are in order here, as the term “academic CV” refers to something more elaborate than an ordinary resume. The upshot is that the words resume and CV usually mean the exact same thing — a short, usually one-page document highlighting a job candidate’s experience, education and skills. The word “resume” is favored in the U.S. and Canada, while the word “CV” is more common in other countries.

However, what’s known as an “academic CV” (in any country) is a much longer document used in academia, medicine and some scientific fields. An academic CV goes into far more detail on a candidate’s educational credentials, publications and awards. In an academic CV, you might list every paper you’ve ever published, cite all of your honors, awards, grants and fellowships, and leave no stone unturned in describing your scholarly qualifications. 

This is far more information than you could include in an ordinary resume, and so, as a professor of ichthyology might say, it’s “a different kettle of fish.” 

There is no real page limit for an “academic CV,” whereas there is widespread agreement that a normal resume/CV should not exceed one page. So before you sit down to write either one, be sure you understand what the employer is looking for. 

This writing guide focuses on the more commonly used definition of a simpler, shorter resume/CV, which should usually be just one page. 

Unsure where to start? Have a look at our other educational resumes for more inspiration. 

• Early Childhood Educator resume sample
• College Student resume sample
• Student resume sample
• Academic Librarian resume sample
• Health Educator resume sample
• ESL Teacher resume sample
• Tutor resume sample 
• Teacher Assistant resume sample 
• Substitute Teacher resume sample
• Middle School Teacher resume sample
• Elementary School Teacher resume sample
• College Professor resume sample
• Internship resume sample
• High School Teacher resume sample
• Academic Tutor resume sample 
• College Admissions resume sample
• Teacher resume sample
• Education resume sample
• Research Assistant resume sample
• School Counselor resume sample
• Principal resume sample
• Instructional Designer resume sample
• Camp Counselor resume sample
• Special Education Teacher resume sample

Choosing the best resume format for academics

There are five essential elements in the format of an academic resume, and if you leave any of them out, that would be like showing up for an interview without shoes:

• Resume header
• Summary/profile/personal statement
• Employment history

Resume header example

The resume header at the top of the page contains your crucial contact info: name, occupation, address, phone number and email. In addition to letting employers know how to reach you, the header is also an important design element, giving your resume a little visual flair. It should never be gaudy or gimmicky, but it should employ creative use of fonts, spacing, layout, design and perhaps a splash of color. 

The header is easy to write, since you already have all this information memorized, but it’s the most challenging part of a resume to design. This is why we suggest that you use a pre-designed resume header where the layout is already done for you. All you have to do is enter your contact info, push a button and boom — you’ve got a beautiful header at the top of your page.

Take a moment to review the education resume examples and writing guides at Resume.io, where you’ll find dozens of headers to choose from. Find one you like, click on it, and our intuitive builder tool will walk you through the short steps necessary to make it your own. It’s a lot easier than passing your survey class on astrophysics.

All set? Now you have just four things left to do.

Academic resume summary example: In a nutshell

The resume summary, also known as a profile or personal statement , is sort of like an “abstract” or “précis” at the beginning of a scholarly article. It summarizes the main points of everything that follows in just a few well-chosen words. 

What is your main selling point? Whether it’s your years of experience as an educator, your summa cum laude graduation honors or your ground-breaking dissertation on the sex lives of frogs, there is bound to be something that sets you apart. Highlight it here, in a few lines at the top of your resume that summarize what it is that makes you great at what you do.

Check out this adaptable summary section from our academic resume sample:

Dynamic and dedicated professor of English, committed to the advancement and growth of students. Adept in creating and implementing powerful curricula designed to help students achieve their full potential. 

Employment history sample: Not my first rodeo

If you’re looking for a job in academia, you probably have some employment history already. Maybe you weren’t the head of the French Department at the Sorbonne for the past 10 years, but you still have a certain je ne sais quoi . Let’s work with that.

If you do have a track record in academic jobs, list them here in reverse chronological order, providing the name and location of each employer, the years you worked there, and what you accomplished at each of these jobs. Be specific, using facts, figures and measurable milestones wherever possible.

But if you have no experience, remember that everybody has to start somewhere. If it was impossible to get a job without prior experience, then nobody on earth would have a job. Academia is an ongoing process of self-improvement that eventually leads to bigger and better things. 

Here’s the employment history section from our academic resume sample:

Professor of English, Rhode Island College, Providence August 2016 - March 2021

• Created curricula for first-year and upper-division writing courses.
• Worked to cultivate experiential learning and active engagement in the classroom.
• Worked with department members to enhance program initiatives.
• Supported English majors, as well as all members of the writing program.
• Worked with students from diverse writing backgrounds to identify and foster their own strengths.
• Initiated, facilitated and moderated classroom discussions.
• Served as a department mentor and advisor.

Assistant Professor of English, Rhode Island College, Providence August 2014 - August 2016

• Provided optimal support to the head of the English department.
• Conducted assigned investigations and studies.
• Taught introductory and advanced courses in creative writing.
• Participated in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Remained fully committed to enriching the academic experience offered by the English department at Rhode Island College.

Academic resume education example: Now we’re talking

When it comes time to compose the education section of your academic resume, you should feel that you’re totally in your element. If you have a Ph.D., list that first. If you have a master’s degree, put that second. And if you barely graduated with a B.A. in General Studies but you were the beer pong champion at your sorority, just mention the B.A.

Scholastic achievements are obviously relevant on any academic resume, and it may be worth going into a bit of detail here. If you had a stellar grade-point average , if you were a member of honor societies or if you were the editor of your college newspaper, all of that may bear mentioning.

Get tips for your education section from our academic resume sample:

M.A., English, Brown University, Providence September 2011 - June 2014 B.A., Comparative Literature, Brown University, Providence September 2007 - May 2011

Resume skills example: Beyond the textbooks

Every resume should include a short but carefully chosen list of skills — things you are exceptionally good at. These will differ for every field, from accounting to zoology. 

Typically, this list will include hard skills (technical capabilities learned from training and experience) and soft skills (innate “people skills” that make you a good communicator, listener or leader). You know your field, so highlight the reasons why you’re good at it. Also, use this space to list any foreign languages you speak.

Below you’ll find the skills section from our academic resume sample:

• Advanced Knowledge of Literature
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Academic Research
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Honesty and Integrity

Academic resume layout and design

In choosing the best format for your academic resume, you need to consider questions of structure, design and layout. 

The structure is explained above in terms of the essential elements that need to be in any resume — this is the “skeleton,” and it’s up to you to add flesh to the bones. 

Design and layout are other major considerations, because you want your resume to look as good as it reads. This involves questions of font styles , and font sizes, paragraph styles, text alignment, margins , visual balance and white space. An employer should be able to glance at your resume and think, before reading the first word, “Hey, this looks nice.” 

Looks matter, and in a one-page document that you’re relying on to land your next job, everything matters. 

We at Resume.io are leading providers of resume layouts and occupation-specific advice on how to write them. We are NOT experts on string theory, quantum mechanics or why nobody can ever find the end of the number pi. 

But you can trust us on this: Our resume templates work, and we know they work because we’ve proven it in the real world time and time again. 

Key takeaways for an academic resume

• A resume is an essential tool for landing a job as an academic but make sure to keep it to one page – it shouldn’t read like a thesis!
• An attractive header makes your resume stand out and tells a hiring manager how to contact you.
• Use a balance of hard and soft skills in your skills section to show what a well-rounded candidate you are.
• A template can help you create an attractive design quickly and easily – don’t forget to customize the look for the position!

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

College Application Resume for 2024 [With Examples, Tips & Template]

They say college is the most exciting time in a student’s life and we couldn’t agree more! 

The only thing standing between you and your dream university, though, is a college application resume.

You open the resume document, get ready to start writing…

And nothing comes out! After all, how can you even make a resume when you haven’t worked a day in your life?

Worry not - you don’t need any work experience to write a compelling college application resume. In this article, we’re going to teach you just how you can do that!

What Should a Resume for College Application Contain?

• 5+ College Application Resume Formatting Tips
• How to Write a Resume for College Applications?
• 3+ College Application Resume Tips

College Application Resume Template

So let’s dive in! 

Before we get into the knits and grits of writing a resume for college application, let’s first do a quick review of what your resume should contain: 

• Contact information , including your full name, address, phone number, and professional email.
• A resume objective , where you state the goal of your college application resume.
• Education section , where you list the history of your grades and exam scores.
• Relevant activities , including any work experience you might have.
• Skills relevant to a resume for a college application, e.g. soft skills such as active listening, interpersonal skills, communication skills, or hard skills such as public speaking, MS Office, or computer skills.
• Additional sections , such as awards and honors.

6 College Application Resume Formatting Tips 

Before we dive into the nits and grits of CV making, let’s talk about formatting. Here are our top tips on how to format your college application resume: 

• Choose the functional/skills-based resume format. This format is perfect for those who lack work experience , as it focuses more on your skill-set. If you DO have some work experience, though, then you can opt for the chronological format.
• Keep your college application resume one page long . As a rule of thumb, this is the optimal length for a resume—professionals with 10 years worth of work experience stick to the 1-page limit, so there’s no excuse for someone with little to no work experience to go overboard.
• Add plenty of white space , especially around your resume’s margins. It will make your resume look less cluttered and more reader-friendly.
• Include clear section headings and use the same heading for each section.
• Use an easy-to-read font. Some resume fonts (such as Ubuntu or Overpass) are resume friendly—professional-looking, easy-to-read, and yet modern. Others, like Comic Sans, are just one big NO.
• Save your college resume as a PDF. You might be used to Microsoft Word, or even think it’s the safest alternative, but MS Word has a good choice of messing up your resume format if opened in different computers or operating systems. PDF files, on the other hand, remain the same no matter what computer opens them.

How to Write a Resume for College Applications? (With Examples)

Once you’ve got the formatting done right, it’s time to get to writing your college application resume.

In this section, we’ll walk you through that process, starting with:  

#1. Order Your Contact Information the Right Way 

As we already mentioned, your college application resume should start with your contact information. 

These are your contact information section must-haves :

• Full name and address
• Functional phone number where you can be reached.
• Professional email address, preferably consisting of your first and last name.

And here’s what this looks like in practice: 

Sharon White

123 Main Street

New York, NY

Phone Number: 553-123-1234

Email: [email protected]

#2. Write an Attention-Grabbing College Resume Objective

A resume objective is a 2-3 sentence long paragraph that should communicate your motivation for getting into college or for studying a specific major.

As such, a well-crafted resume objective can instantly attract admission officers to read the rest of your college application resume. 

There is, however, a right and wrong way to write a resume objective.

A convincing resume objective is:

• Tailored to the university/major you’re applying to, instead of looking like a one-fits-all kind of statement that you can use to apply to several colleges.
• Highlights the achievements that give you an edge over the competition.  

The following example does that right: 

Aspiring journalist with a knack for creative writing looking to deepen their knowledge through NYU’s renowned Journalism track. Founder of my high school’s first online newspaper, the ‘Daily Prophet,’ which now has over 2,000 subscribers. Hardworking, with a grade A average in social sciences and commitment to improving. 

Now compare it to the following resume objective, which although articulated looks like a one-fits-all kind of statement that you can just insert into several college applications. 

Very committed high-schooler with a calling for social sciences. With an SAT score of 1400, a passion for psychology, and experience as a peer counselor, I am confident that my hard work and motivation will shine through as a college student. 

See, the resume objective is your chance to show exactly why you want to attend that college, right from the start. 

So, even if you don’t have many achievements to highlight, make sure to personalize your statement by expressing a genuine interest in your application.  

#3. Put Weight on Your Education

Taking into consideration that, as a student, you most likely lack significant work experience, your education is the first thing admission officers will look at. 

As such, you should give your education its due importance in your college application resume. 

For starters, make sure to include this must-have information:

• Your high school’s name and location
• The date of your graduation

In addition, though, combine that with some relevant achievements that can make your education pop out. 

Let’s take a look at two examples. The second student has simply listed out the essential education information, whereas the first has taken their education section to the next level. 

Dunnellon High School FL

2017 - 2021

• 3rd place at the International Mathematical Olympiad 
• Vice-President of the Science Club
• SAT Scores: 1350 (650 Verbal, 700 Math)
• SAT Scores: 1400

#4. Showcase Relevant Activities

Extracurricular activities have a great number of benefits when it comes to your college application resume. Most importantly, they:

• Demonstrate you who are outside of the classroom
• Provide an opportunity to showcase your skills

Any activity and/or interest related to the college you’re applying to has a place on your college application resume,  but you don’t have to necessarily stop there. 

Any kind of interest, field, or activity where you’re good at can be of benefit to your application. 

That’s because it can prove that your interests are not focused solely on your favorite subject or desired career path and that you are engaged and well-rounded . 

So, don’t just list your college resume activities dryly (e.g. “reading” or “swimming”). Instead, be specific and creative about your interests, and rest assured that you will get extra points for diversity and commitment. 

Don’t believe us? Compare for yourself how the activities sections of two different students look like: the first has put minimal effort into it, whereas the second has put his A-game into writing it.

• Passionate about science
• Co-founder of the Astrophysics Club

Activities 

• Two-times winner of my high school’s Science Fair
• Co-founder of the Astrophysics Club, finalists of the MIT-founded THINK challenge
• Swimmer from an early age and member of my high school’s swim team during junior and senior year 
• Traveling; I have so far visited 10 countries and 15 states in the USA. 
• Photography, with a focus on architectural photography. 

#5. Highlight Your Work Experience

Now, if you’ve spent your summer holidays working any type of job for teens , that means that you also have some work experience under your belt. 

Although work experience is not necessary when you’re applying for college (meaning that you won’t get left out of college if you don’t have any), it does help to include it if you have it. 

Here’s how to list work experience in your college application resume:

• Start with the company name (e.g. if you worked at Starbucks), your job title, and the period you worked there. 
• Put your job title first if you worked, say, as a high-school tutor or camp counselor. 
• Include 1-2 of your main responsibilities in bullets. If you have achievements to show for, however, make sure to put them first.  

Let’s see how that works in a practical example.

Starbucks Coffee 

• Awarded employee of the month for 3 months straight
• Fielding customer complaints and questions
• Maintaining good customer service and speedy delivery

Even if the above position isn’t related to the student’s desired field of study, the work experience still highlights some of their skills such as commitment, time management, effective communication, and motivation.  

#6. Include Your Skills 

Skills—we all got them, but not everyone knows how to demonstrate them effectively in a college application resume. 

There are two things to consider when you include skills in your college resume:

• Know the kind of skills that are relevant to your major/field.
• Prove your skills, instead of just listing them 

Let’s show you how that works through practical examples:

• Time management
• Critical thinking

Are these great skills for a college applicant? Sure! 

But anyone can claim to have those skills (and frankly, most people do).

Rather than just listing these skills, you want to also back them up with achievements and experiences like so: 

• Attention to deadline: managed to update the high school’s online newspaper daily
• Leadership: successfully led a team of 6 reporters.
• Creativity: won the 2021 Young Writers competition 
• Self-motivation: founded the high school’s first online newspaper

Now, this is a skills section on a college application resume that proves you deserve a spot in your favorite university.

College application resume skills 

Wondering which skills to include in your college application resume? Here’s a list to draw some inspiration: 

Soft Skills

• Good judgment 
• Open-mindedness
• Communication  
• Self-motivation
• Interpersonal skills
• Active listening
• Problem-solving

Hard Skills

• Computer Skills
• Programming
• Public Speaking

#7. Use These Additional Sections

If you’ve followed all our tips till now, congrats - you’re around 90% into creating a top-notch college application resume.

Now, let’s talk about how you can take that to 100%!

In addition to the conventional resume sections we’ve covered till now, you can include the following to help you stand out in a sea of other applicants:

• Awards. Here, you can list any awards won in competitions (spelling, art, storytelling, math, etc). 
• Volunteer experience . Did you clean up your town, or maybe you volunteered at an animal rescue center as a high school student? Any kind of volunteering can help your college application resume because it shows you’re a responsible community member. If it’s somehow related to your field or future major, that’s a big plus. 
• Projects. Be them individual (e.g. you built a website from scratch, or started an informational podcast), or school-related (e.g. an art portfolio for a class, or a history documentary), projects can show that you’re passionate and creative. 
• Sports. Poet Juvenal said “ a healthy mind in a healthy body. ” This means that physical exercise is an important part of mental and psychological well-being (which is why sports in a college application resume make all applicants look good). Do you excel at specific sports? Include them in your resume!. 
• Languages. Being fluent (or even just a beginner) in a foreign language is another plus for a prospective college student. Make sure to show it in your college application resume. 

5 College Application Resume Tips

Finally, here are some of our college application tips that didn’t fit anywhere else in the article:

• Be direct and to the point. Your college application resume is not the right place to show how many SAT-level words you know. Keep your language simple, direct, and to the point. Let your achievements and results speak for themselves. 
• Don't lie about your academic background or accomplishments. Lying about the awards you’ve won or your achievements won’t get you into college. More often than not, admission officers will see through your lies by asking behavioral interview questions . 
• Proofread your college application resume.   Spelling and grammar mistakes can make you appear like a less serious applicant. Imagine telling recruiters that you have great SAT scores and GPA but having spelling mistakes in your resume. Kind of contradictory, isn’t it? To avoid these kinds of mistakes, use spelling and grammar apps such as Grammarly and Heminway . 
• Have one or more people look at your resume before you send it out. There are kinds of mistakes that Grammarly or Hemingway cannot catch. To avoid such mistakes, have one or more people that know you give your college application resume a look. 
• Emphasize specific achievements over general responsibilities. As mentioned before, emphasizing your achievements over your responsibilities is the best way to set yourself apart from other candidates. The reason is that your achievements effectively show how well you handle responsibilities and they are uniquely yours.

Making a resume from scratch can take what feels like ages—especially if it’s your first time doing it.

You’ve got to tweak the formatting. 

You make a change at MS Word and the layout falls apart in front of your eyes. Or you end up using a bland and outdated template. 

Well, you don’t have to worry about any of these things with Nóvóresume’s free resume templates . 

With 8 free templates to choose from - college application resume included - you don’t have to worry about anything other than inputting your information.

Let our resume builder do the rest! 

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap on college application resumes. We hope to have made the process of writing yours easier and even more enjoyable. 

For good measure, let’s go over the main points we covered: 

• Your college application resume should contain the following sections: contact information , personal profile , education section , relevant activities , your skills , and additional sections , such as awards and honors. 
• In terms of formatting, the functional resume template fits your college application best. Additionally, make sure to keep your resume one page long and save it as a PDF. 
• Write a resume objective that doesn’t surpass 3 sentences and that clearly communicates your motivation for getting into college and your most relevant skills. 
• Make sure to give your education section its due importance by being thorough about your grades, SAT scores, and achievements. 
• Don’t forget to list all your relevant activities and passions, as well as soft and hard skills.
• Instead of writing your college application resume from scratch, use one of Nóvóresume’s ready-made templates to save yourself time and effort!  

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• Career Blog

The Ultimate Academic Resume Guide: Best Examples Included

In today’s competitive job market, having a well-crafted academic resume can make all the difference for students and job seekers. An academic resume provides a comprehensive overview of a student or job seeker’s academic achievements, experiences, and skills in a concise and professional format.

The purpose of an academic resume is to showcase your academic accomplishments and experiences in a way that captures the interest of potential employers or admissions committees. This type of resume is specifically designed to highlight scholastic achievements, such as academic honors, awards, scholarships, research experience, and publications.

Importance of the Academic Resume for Students and Job Seekers

An academic resume can be a powerful tool for standing out in a competitive job market or academic setting. It provides both students and job seekers with the opportunity to showcase their academic achievements and demonstrate their potential value to employers or admissions committees.

For students, an academic resume can be particularly advantageous when applying for internships, scholarships, or graduate school. For job seekers, an academic resume can be helpful when applying to research-based or academic positions, as well as positions that require strong academic achievement or research skills.

What this Guide will Cover

This Ultimate Academic Resume Guide will cover everything you need to know to create a powerful academic resume. From formatting and structure to content and examples, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the key components that make for a successful academic resume.

This guide will cover how to highlight your academic achievements, research experience, and publications, as well as ways to showcase your skills and potential value to employers or admissions committees. Additionally, we will provide you with 10+ examples of successful academic resumes that you can use as inspiration when creating your own.

This guide will provide you with all the information and tools you need to create a winning academic resume that will help you stand out in a crowded job market or academic setting.

Understanding the Different Types of Resumes

As you start to create your academic resume, it’s important to understand the different types of resumes that are available. Depending on your career goals, there are three main types of resumes: chronological, functional, and combination.

Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is the most common type of resume and is ideal for individuals who have a strong employment history. This type of resume lists your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job first. This format allows employers to quickly see where you have worked, for how long, and what your role and accomplishments were in each position.

Chronological resumes are also great for highlighting promotions, advancement, and growth within a specific industry or job function. However, if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing career paths, a chronological resume may not be the best option.

Functional Resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience rather than your job history. This type of resume is ideal for individuals who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment history, or have limited work experience.

The format of a functional resume is organized by skills and achievements rather than a chronological list of work history. This allows you to highlight your most relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments that directly relate to the job you are applying for.

A functional resume can also be useful for individuals who have held multiple positions that fall under the same job function or industry. This format allows you to showcase your skillset and achievements in a concise and organized way.

Combination Resume

A combination resume blends the best elements of a chronological resume and a functional resume. This type of resume is ideal for individuals who want to highlight both their work history and relevant skills and achievements.

The format of a combination resume organizes your work history in reverse chronological order, like a chronological resume. However, it also includes a section that highlights your relevant skills and achievements, like a functional resume.

A combination resume is great for individuals who want to emphasize their strong work history while also demonstrating their value in a specific skillset or industry. However, it’s important to make sure that the format is clear and easy to read for potential employers.

Understanding the different types of resumes can help you choose the format that best showcases your skills, experience, and achievements. Choose the format that aligns with your career goals and highlights your strengths as an academic.

Getting Started

Gathering information.

Before applying for any job, it’s crucial to gather all the relevant information about the position and the company you’re applying for. This information will help you tailor your resume and cover letter effectively.

To start, visit the company’s website and read about their mission, values, and goals. Look for any notable accomplishments or initiatives they’ve undertaken recently.

Next, research the job you’re applying for. Learn more about the role, the company culture, and the skills and qualifications required. Use LinkedIn and Glassdoor to gain further insights from current or former employees.

Finally, gather any other relevant information about the industry or field you’re applying for. Stay up to date with the latest trends, technology, and advancements.

Analyzing the Job Description

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to analyze the job description. This step will help you understand the specific requirements, skills, and qualifications the employer is seeking.

Pay attention to the language used in the job description, and make note of any keywords or phrases that stand out. These keywords will be essential to include on your resume and cover letter, as they demonstrate that you understand the job requirements and have the desired skills and experience.

Also, look for any specific technology or software experience required for the job. If you have experience with these programs, make sure to highlight it on your resume.

Tailoring Your Resume

With all the information you’ve gathered and analyzed, it’s time to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. An effective resume should highlight your relevant skills and experience while demonstrating that you understand the job requirements.

Start by crafting a strong summary or objective statement at the top of your resume. Use this space to tailor your credentials to the job requirements and showcase what you bring to the table.

Next, make sure to include all the relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section. Use the keywords from the job description to frame your accomplishments and demonstrate that you have the required skills.

Finally, include any relevant certifications or coursework that may be relevant to the job. Demonstrate your commitment to your field of study or industry.

Gathering information, analyzing the job description, and tailoring your resume will set you up for success in your job search. Take the time to prepare a tailored resume, and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.

Formatting Your Academic Resume

Your academic resume showcases your experience, education, and achievements in the academic field. Proper formatting can make it easier for employers to read and determine your suitability for the job position. Here are the key sections to include in your academic resume:

Header and Contact Information  Your header section should include your name, phone number, email address, and home address. Ensure that your font size and style are uniform and easy to read.

Personal Statement or Career Objective  A personal statement or career objective summarizes who you are as an academic professional and what you plan to achieve in your career. Keep the section brief and memorable to pique the interest of the reader.

Education Section  List your academic achievements in chronological order, starting with your most recent experience. Indicate the name of the institution, the degree earned, and your graduation date. You can also include any honors or awards you earned during your studies.

Work Experience Section  In this section, list your previous employment experiences that are relevant to the academic position you are applying for. Include the job title, location of employment, dates of employment, a brief description of your job duties and accomplishments. Remember to keep the work experience section concise and focused on your academic experience.

Skills Section  This section should highlight technical skills, specialized skills, and soft skills like problem-solving, communication, teamwork, etc. Include skills that are relevant to the academic job position you are applying for.

Achievements and Awards Section  List any academic achievements like publications, research projects, grants, fellowships, and presentations. This section helps represent you as an accomplished academic professional.

Extracurricular Activities Section  Include any extracurricular activities or community service projects that showcase your leadership qualities and involvement in your academic community.

Relevant Courses Section  Include any courses, certifications, or workshops that are relevant to the academic position you are applying for. This section can set you apart from other candidates who may not have taken such courses.

Certifications and Licenses Section  List any certifications you have earned or professional licenses you hold that are relevant to the academic position you are applying for. This section can add value to your academic resume and make you a more attractive candidate.

Ensure that your academic resume is well-formatted, clear, and concise. Include the relevant information that showcases your experience and achievements to enhance your chances of landing your dream academic job.

Writing Your Academic Resume

Your academic resume is your chance to showcase your education, work experience, skills, achievements, awards, extracurricular activities, and relevant courses. A well-written academic resume can help you stand out from other applicants and secure coveted positions.

Strategies for Writing a Strong Personal Statement or Career Objective

Your personal statement or career objective is the first thing employers will see when they look at your academic resume. It should be catchy, concise, and relevant. You can start by introducing yourself and explaining your goals, interests, and skills. Be sure to tailor your statement to the job you are applying for and highlight how your experience and education make you the right candidate for the position.

Tips for Listing Education and Work Experience

When listing your education and work experience, start with the most recent and work backward. List the name of the school or company, the degree or position you held, and the dates of attendance or employment. Highlight the skills and experience you gained during each experience and quantify them wherever possible. For example, list the projects you worked on, the number of people you managed, or the amount of revenue you generated.

Highlighting Your Skills, Achievements, and Awards

This section of your academic resume is the perfect place to showcase your unique skills, achievements, and awards. You can list skills like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Be sure to provide specific examples of how you used these skills in your previous experiences. Also, include any achievements or awards you received, such as academic scholarships or contest wins.

Discussing Your Extracurricular Activities and Relevant Courses

Your extracurricular activities and relevant courses offer employers insight into who you are outside of the classroom or workplace. You can list activities like volunteer work, sports teams, or clubs, as well as any relevant coursework you took. Be sure to highlight any leadership positions you held in these activities or how you applied what you learned in your coursework to real-life situations.

Describing Your Certifications and Licenses

If you have any certifications or licenses, this section of your academic resume is the place to list them. Be sure to provide the name of the certification or license, the issuing organization, and the date you received it. Also, include any relevant details about the certification or license, such as what it qualifies you to do or any continuing education requirements.

Writing a strong academic resume involves showcasing your education, work experience, skills, achievements, awards, extracurricular activities, and relevant courses. By following the strategies and tips outlined in this guide, you can create an impressive academic resume that catches the attention of employers.

Adding the Finishing Touches

When it comes to creating a flawless academic resume, adding the finishing touches is just as crucial as crafting the content itself. In this section, we will cover four key steps to take before submitting your resume: proofreading and editing, choosing the right format, tailoring for the job or institution, and saving and submitting.

Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading and editing your resume is a vital step in ensuring that it is error-free and professional. After you have finished drafting your resume, set it aside for a day or two before returning to it with fresh eyes. This way, you will be better equipped to catch any typos, formatting errors or inconsistencies.

Choosing the Right Format

Choosing the right format for your academic resume can help make it more visually appealing and easier to read. There are several formats to choose from, including chronological, functional, or combination formats. Consider your experience level, the job you are applying for and what would make your content stand out.

Tailoring for the Job or Institution

No matter how impressive your resume looks, it’s essential to tailor your resume to the job or institution you’re applying to. Ensure that you highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job at hand. Proving that you’ve done your research, bring up key terms found on the job description, and incorporate examples or achievements that match.

Saving and Submitting

Finally, ensure that you save your resume in a format that is easily accessible and readable by potential employers, such as PDF format. Apply to the job or institution following submission guidelines, using a well-crafted email or message that is appropriately addressed to the decision-maker who would receive it.

By following the four steps above, you can add the finishing touches to your academic resume and increase your chances of impressing potential employers.

Academic Resume Examples

When it comes to showcasing your academic achievements and experiences, a well-crafted resume can make all the difference. In this section, we’ll provide two examples of academic resumes, one for those just starting out in their academic career and one for those who are more experienced.

Entry-Level Academic Resume

Contact Information:

John Smith 123 Main Street City, State 12345 (555) 123-4567 [email protected]

Motivated and enthusiastic recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology seeking an entry-level position in the field of academia. Eager to apply theoretical knowledge and research skills to contribute to the educational community. Committed to fostering a positive learning environment and supporting student success.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology XYZ University City, State | 20XX

Relevant Coursework:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Proficient in statistical analysis software (SPSS)
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team
• Effective time management and organization

Experience:

Research Assistant | XYZ University City, State | 20XX – 20XX

• Assisted faculty members in conducting research studies by collecting and analyzing data.
• Conducted literature reviews and assisted in writing research reports.
• Maintained research databases and organized research materials.
• Collaborated with research team members to ensure project deadlines were met.
• Presented research findings at departmental meetings.

Teaching Assistant | XYZ University City, State | 20XX – 20XX

• Assisted professors in facilitating classroom activities and grading assignments.
• Conducted study sessions and provided additional support to students.
• Assisted in preparing course materials and maintaining the course website.
• Responded to student inquiries and provided academic guidance.

Professional Affiliations:

• Member, American Psychological Association (APA)
• Member, Psi Chi (International Honor Society in Psychology)

Experienced Academic Resume

Emily Johnson 456 Elm Street City, State 54321 (555) 987-6543 [email protected]

Dedicated and accomplished academic professional with over 10 years of experience in higher education. Proven track record in curriculum development, student engagement, and research. Strong commitment to academic excellence and fostering a positive learning environment.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education ABC University City, State | 20XX

Professional Experience:

Assistant Professor | XYZ University City, State | 20XX – Present

• Deliver engaging and dynamic lectures to undergraduate and graduate students in the field of Education.
• Develop and implement curriculum for courses in Educational Psychology and Research Methods.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students in their research projects and theses.
• Publish research findings in reputable academic journals and present at conferences.
• Serve on departmental committees and contribute to program development.
• Provide academic advisement and support to students.

Research Coordinator | ABC Research Institute City, State | 20XX – 20XX

• Managed research projects focused on educational interventions and program evaluations.
• Coordinated data collection, analysis, and reporting of research findings.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop research proposals and secure funding.
• Published research results and presented at national and international conferences.
• Mentored junior research staff and provided guidance on research methodologies.
• Assisted professors in delivering lectures and facilitating discussions.
• Graded assignments, exams, and provided feedback to students.
• Conducted office hours and provided academic support to students.
• Assisted in developing course materials and updating curriculum.
• Curriculum development and instructional design
• Research design and methodology
• Data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Grant writing and research funding acquisition
• Academic leadership and mentorship
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional Tips and Considerations

Common mistakes to avoid.

When creating your academic resume, it’s important to avoid certain common mistakes. One mistake is including irrelevant or outdated information. Stick to relevant academic achievements and experiences that highlight your skills and qualifications for the specific position you’re applying for. Another mistake is omitting important details, such as key projects, publications, or presentations that showcase your expertise in your academic field. Lastly, be sure to proofread your resume for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues.

Dealing with Employment Gaps or Lack of Experience

If you have employment gaps or lack experience, there are ways to address them on your academic resume. You can focus on any relevant academic projects, internships, or volunteer work that you’ve done. Highlight any transferable skills or coursework that demonstrate your ability to perform well in the academic arena. Consider including a summary or objective statement that showcases your passion for the field and willingness to learn and grow.

Handling Confidential Information

In academic research, it’s common to work with confidential information. When it comes to including this information on your resume, it’s important to tread carefully. Avoid detailing any confidential research or sensitive data that could compromise your current or former employers. Instead, consider highlighting the skills and techniques you used to handle and protect this information. Mention any ethical guidelines or compliance measures you followed. If necessary, obtain written permission from your employer before including any confidential information on your resume.

When it comes to creating an academic resume, be sure to avoid common mistakes, address any employment gaps or lack of experience, and handle confidential information with care. Doing so will help you create a strong, professional resume that showcases your academic achievements and qualifications.

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• Resume and Cover Letter

How to Write an Academic CV

6 min read · Updated on December 16, 2021

Everything you need to know about the academic CV.

There's the traditional resume, the European curriculum vitae (CV for short), the federal resume, and the academic CV, which is also commonly referred to as the academic resume. Confused yet?

Not to worry! We recently sat down with TC Paulson, one of TopResume's senior resume writers, to learn about the differences between these all-important job-search tools. TC also walked us through the various elements and requirements of an academic resume and explained how TopResume can help you write a successful academic CV to land the interview .

TopResume: Let's start with the basics. What are the main differences between a resume and a CV?

TC Paulson: Resumes and CVs are more alike than you may think. Both documents contain sections to document your skills, professional work history, education, and certifications. A professional summary instead of an objective statement is usually featured at the beginning to summarize your value proposition to an employer. While there are some differences between these job-application tools — for instance, CVs sometimes have a longer page length and may include details you wouldn't find on a resume — both are crafted to feature your qualifications and experience as they relate to a specific career or job goal.

In the U.S., South America, Australia, and most of Canada, this important personal-branding tool is called a resume. In Europe, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, and some parts of Canada, it is referred to as a curriculum vitae (CV) or European CV.

Regardless of what you call it, both job-application documents should have a clean, easy-to-read layout and be written with a clear job target in mind.

TR: What is an academic CV? How do I know if I need one?

TP: If you are seeking a position in the medical, dental, academic, scientific, or research field anywhere in the world, chances are you need an academic curriculum vitae (CV). An academic CV — also commonly referred to as an academic resume — takes on a slightly different format from the traditional professional resume and CV expected by employers in the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world.

An academic resume is a credential-driven document that focuses on showcasing your contributions to a particular field of study or practice. As a result, if you decide to work with TopResume , your professional writer will place particular emphasis on your relevant education, licenses and certifications, training, publications, research accomplishments, and presentations throughout your academic CV. Unlike a resume or a curriculum vitae, an academic CV typically does not include a skills summary or qualifications profile since these types of career highlights will be presumed.

As you might imagine, academic resumes are comprehensive documents that do not abide by your typical CV- or resume-page-length rules. For example, if you are a researcher with 20+ years of experience, your academic resume could be up to 15 pages long. A large portion of your academic CV may be dedicated to listing examples of the publications you've written, the presentations you've given, and the patents you've been granted for your inventions.

TR: What items should be included in an academic resume?

TP: An academic CV should include some of the core items you'd find on a standard resume or curriculum vitae: professional work history, education, certifications, licenses, training, languages in which you're fluent or competent, and relevant technical skills you possess. However, there are many pieces of information an employer expects to find in an academic resume that are not included in a standard resume or CV. These critical elements include, but are not limited to: a list of dissertations to accompany your education section; residencies or fellowships you've completed; and research accomplishments, such as presentations you've given or publications you've written or been featured in. You should also highlight patents, grants, and industry-related awards you've received as well as any editorial boards, community service projects, and relevant professional associations of which you've been a member or officer. Finally, your academic CV should detail specific research skills you've honed throughout your career.

TR: What if I don't have information for all of those components for an academic CV?

TP: If you are in academia but you don't perform scientific laboratory research — for example, if you are a history professor — you should still use an academic CV as your primary career tool. By strategically balancing your academic contributions and activities with your subject-area and pedagogical expertise, you can ensure that college and university hiring committees will recognize your full value as an instructor.

If you are in science and research but don't teach at a university, your ability as a hands-on investigative contributor to publications, industry developments, case studies, clinical trials, or other credentials should be highlighted. Conveying your contributions to patents, presentations, and grants will display your worth to organizations that compete for funds in research and development.

In all areas of medicine — be it dermatology, emergency medicine, or surgery — an academic resume should be used to feature your expertise and ability to support best-practice patient care and clinical excellence. Focus on showcasing your clinical experience alongside any scholarly contributions, as well as residencies, medical-specialty expertise, and professional presentations at medical conferences.

If you're unsure how to arrange the information you have to work with to demonstrate your value to a potential employer, let TopResume write your academic CV for you .

TR: Is it really necessary to hire a professional service to write my academic resume?

TP: You can choose to write your academic CV on your own, but a professional writing service can ensure that your document is properly formatted, contains all the essential components, and tells your career story in the best way possible. With TopResume, you will be paired with a professional writer who is familiar with the elements of a successful academic CV for your field. Our proprietary treatments, rigorous industry research, and technical testing of documents will help give you the confidence of knowing you have our collective expertise backing your application. Your academic CV is a vital part of your job search and can be the difference between finding your dream job and continuing on the hunt. Why not leave it to an expert?

TR: Is there anything else I should know before deciding to use a professional writing service?

TC: When your academic CV is being initially reviewed by a recruiter or hiring manager, your hard skills, quantifiable data, and general soft skills will be taken into account. If you want your writer to present you in a way that is not only accurate but also rich, you must be willing to participate in the process.

My best advice: Take the time upfront to provide your academic-CV writer with the necessary material to develop an interview-winning document. If you can provide your TopResume writer with comprehensive information, quantifiable data, and specific achievements, then it will enable them to craft the best possible academic resume that will help you land the job of your dreams.

Don't leave your job search up to chance. Hire TopResume to write your academic CV today !

Recommended Reading:

How to Get the Most Out of Your Resume-Writing Service

How to Build a Strong Medical Resume

5 Signs It's Time to Hire a Professional Resume Writer

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

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From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

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How to make an academic resume?

[ Click here to directly go to the complete academic resume sample ]

Writing an academic resume is more or less the same as writing any other role-based resume.

Whether you are a scholar or a researcher applying for an academic job profile you need to write an impeccable resume that highlights the best features of your academic and professional achievements.

Here is the summary of our Academic Resume Blog:

• Update yourself about the ATS and stay a step ahead of everyone else by making your academic cv stand out.
• Highlight your best professional achievements and academic accomplishments to identify yourself as a suitable applicant.
• Make your resume clear to read and comprehend by describing your professional achievements in understandable one-liners.
• Captivate the recruiters by providing the details of your mention-worthy achievements and accomplishments.

Resume writing is not just about documenting your details and particulars.

It a mixture of presenting yourself in the best light while making sure that it is presented in a clear and readable format that keeps you connected with the targeted job or post.

in this blog, you will find suitable academic resume examples, a complete academic resume template, and many other tips and guides that can help you curate the perfect resume.

The following resume tips can help you write the perfect academic resume:

Pick a suitable resume format to build your academic resume

Include distinct sections to structure your academic resume, mention your personal details in the topmost section of your academic resume, frame the professional experience section of your academic resume with perfection, provide the details of your educational background in your academic resume, highlight your skills effectively in your academic resume, give an overview of your academic resume flawlessly.

Our Online Resume Builder has a lot more to offer apart from helping you curate a resume. Make sure to explore it today!

This blog consists of the following topics that can help you fabricate your academic cv/academic resume:

[ Back to Table of Content ]

You need to write a constructive resume whether you are writing an academic resume high school, academic resume for college, academic cv for masters application, academic cv template for phd application, or an academic resume to apply for a targeted job position.

And by any means, you need to fashion your academic resume by picking a suitable resume format.

The most advisable resume format being the reverse chronological resume format.

It allows you to describe your career trajectory in the reverse format wherein your most recent profile is mentioned upfront.

Considered to be the best and ideal format to highlight your professional experience, the reverse chronological resume format is also ATS friendly.

ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is used by recruiters to filter resumes that contain suitable keywords and are formatted to be ATS-compliant. Hence the chronological resume format can help your resume get past the ATS without any hassle.

The Functional resume format is to be avoided unless you are someone looking for a change in career or in need of covering up your career gap(s).

It has a skill-based approach and hence tends to keep the timeline of your career on the sideline which may not be preferred by most recruiters.

The Combination resume format is a fusion of the reverse chronological resume format and the functional resume format.

Hence it has a skill-based approach while also gives equal attention to the timeline of your career trajectory.

Academic Sample Resume

Here is an academic resume template that we have created on Hiration's Online Resume Builder:

• Assisting the senior professors in developing lesson plans from different sources
• It aids in providing an insightful understanding of various topics
• Guiding students in creating a project plan for the final projects and researches
• Evaluating examinations and writing assignments to monitor students’ progress and gain an understanding of the subject
• Researching new curriculum and implementing new concepts and ideas to refine research quality and optimize time
• Promoting classroom discussion by suggesting topics and modeling best practices
• Effect of Thyroid on women's fertility | Dec '20
• Analyzed the data of 1500+ women and re-engineered the data to be more accurate
• Implemented Regression Analysis to find out the fertility rate of women with Thyroid between the age of 25 - 35 years
• Effect of poor sanitization practices on the children | Apr '20
• Recorded the cases of diarrhea and vomiting in children aged 3 - 5 years old to determine the cause of illness
• Deployed Multinomial Logistic Regression for analyzing the data as part of facilitating the process of identifying and resolving data anomalies
• Lifetime member of Indian Association for the study of Population (IASP)
• Student membership of Asian Population Association (APA) | 2021
• Article - 'The availability of facilities at Community Health Centre' | Population Weekly | Dec '20
• Journal - 'The system of distributing elementary medicines to the general public' | BMC Public Health | Apr '20
• Volunteering UNICEF's Unite India to advocate the prioritization of funding policies for children | Dec '20 - Present
• Volunteered Red Cross's Blood Donation Program to raise awareness | Sep '20

Observe the distinct features incorporated in the given academic resume example that makes this academic resume sample perfect for you while applying for any academic job profile.

We assist those professionals who are looking for the best resumes and not just good a resume.

And we are just a click away so make sure to explore the amazing features that we provide on our Online Resume Builder.

Once you pick the right resume format, start framing your academic cv by including suitable sections that will give form to your resume.

Every segment of your resume plays a fundamental role in attracting the required recognition from the recruiters.

The following sections are the standard segments that you should always include while writing a resume for academic job profiles:

• Personal Information
• Profile Title
• Summary/Objective
• Professional Experience

Though not mandatory the following optional sections can boost the impact of your academic CV on the recruiters:

• Certifications (if any)
• Awards & Recognition (if any)
• Additional Information (if any)

Get a clear understanding of the importance of resume sections from Hiration's Guide to sections in a resume .

Our huge library of pre-filled resume templates is made available that you can easily personalize.

The top section of your resume is always in the spotlight hence you need to include those details that can make the recruiters acknowledge your job application.

Keep it precise and refrain from including unnecessary details on the top part of your resume at all times.

Academic Resume: Header

The header simply refers to the first thing that you frame in your resume and that is your name.

Some people write "CV" or "Resume" but it is a waste of space as it is as clear as day that you are writing one and there is no point in mentioning the same.

Use the largest text in your academic cv to write your resume header. The ideal 16-20 font size will do the job for you.

Simply leave a space between your first and last name. If you have a middle name then placing the initial between your first and last name is enough.

Here is an example of how your name should look in a resume:

• Lenny Halls
• Lenny M. Halls

Read Hiration’s Guide To Writing The Perfect Resume Header to learn more about the importance of a resume header and learn how to frame a flawless one for your academic resume or academic CV.

An ideal resume header is illustrated in the below-given academic resume sample:

Academic Resume: Personal Information

Before you start giving out your personal details in your resume make sure to read the guideline of the organization where you are applying for a job.

Some countries and organizations do not allow you to mention certain details like your age, gender, nationality, etc in your resume whereas some make it mandatory. Hence it is always advisable that you go through the hiring guidelines beforehand.

Now back to the personal information section in a resume it should ideally contain the following details:

• Contact Number
• Email Address
• Current Location

Hiration Pro Tip : You can also provide the links to your personal website, blog, Github, or LinkedIn profile. It can help the recruiters and like-minded professionals to connect with you for professional interests.

Contact Number: Your resume would go to waste if you do not provide your contact number because if there is no means to get in touch with you the recruiters will not be able to update you even if your resume is shortlisted.

Your phone number should be correct and active so that you do not miss out on any possible call from potential employers and hiring managers during your job application.

Email Address: Your email address is equally important as your contact number on a resume as it is another means of communication between you and the hiring managers.

Do not make the mistake of giving out childish email IDs like "[email protected] " or "[email protected] " because can make you seem unprofessional.

Always create an official email ID that has your real name to maintain a professional approach and be acknowledged as one by the recruiters.

Current Location: Your current location simply refers to the location of your residence and all you need to do is mention your state and city.

In case you are on the lookout for a job that requires you to move outside the country then you can mention your state and country.

Do not give out your home address by mentioning your house number or street number nor mention the name of your locality as they are useless information on a resume.

Fabricating the personal information section in your academic cv can be made easier by going through Hiration's Guide to composing your contact information .

Here is an ideal personal information section from our academic resume template to visually help you understand this section:

Go to our Online Resume Builder and get professional assistance to frame your academic CV.

You can rely on it as an academic resume builder!

Academic Resume: Profile Title

There are so many profile titles out there that you can find when it comes to professional job profiles.

But you need to know that every resume should have a profile title that is relevant to the targeted job profile and be justified to validate your suitability for the specific job profile.

For example, to become a Full Professor you need to have a minimum of five years of experience as an Associate Professor.

Now, if you do not have the required qualification or experience you should not exaggerate your profile title in the hope of landing the targeted job profile.

The recruiters will only consider it as lying on the resume and it may bring negative remarks on your job applications.

Hence make sure to mention only the specific profile title that rightfully identifies you with the profile that you are applying.

Keep in mind that your academic resume profile title should communicate the following facts:

• Your current designation.
• Your functional industry.
• Your seniority level.

The simple guidelines mentioned below can help you write your profile title effortlessly:

• Frame it as the second-largest text in your resume after the resume header
• Use the ideal 14-16 font size to frame it.

Your profile title should be framed as illustrated in the given academic resume example:

The professional experience section is one such segment of a resume that allows you to brag about your achievements and capabilities.

It can help you present the highlights of your career to make your resume stand out amongst the rest.

But only those who incorporate the distinct factors explained below can make an effective impact on the recruiters.

One-Liner Points: There is no arguing that one-liners are the best way to describe your work experience in a resume.

Instead of elaborating on your roles and responsibilities in a lengthy paragraph, you should stick to framing one-liners as they are easy to read and comprehend.

Power Verbs : Always start your one-liners using a suitable power verb as it can bring about a positive impact in your sentences.

By using power verbs you can avoid repeating words and instead emphasize your professional involvements in a broader sense.

Achievement Figures: The straight forward way to make the recruiters recognize the value/degree of your contributions on a professional level is your achievement figure.

Provide the average or exact figure of your contributions and achievements in your one-liners to indicate the value achieved for an organization.

Bucketing and Bolding: One of the best ways to organize your one-liner points is by bucketing them under distinct headings. Then bold the significant words or phrases that highlight your relevant achievements, contributions, or potential.

It is simple and easy for you to implement while making your work description clear for the recruiters to read through your professional experience section.

Academic Resume Sample for Professional Experience

Hiration's Blog on how to compose the work experience in your resume has more about this section. Hence make sure to go through it and learn everything about perfecting the professional section on a resume.

You can refer to our academic resume sample showcasing an ideal professional experience section:

In addition to helping you create the perfect resume, Hiration provides Free Online Resume Service.

All you need to do is upload your resume on our online resume nuilder and our resume experts will provide you feedbacks on perfecting your existing resume.

Your academic record can have a huge impact on the shortlist of your resume.

Therefore you should provide the details of your educational background in your resume and make an impression on the recruiters.

While doing so you need to keep in mind that the following details of your education background should be provided in your academic cv:

• Name of the school/university from which you have passed out.
• Name of the courses you have completed.
• The location of your school/university.
• The dates of your admission and graduation dates in the month & year format .

Not satisfied with the details provided above?

No worries!

You can read Hiration's Guide on how to list education on your resume to learn more about the education section in a resume.

The attached snapshot of the education section is taken from our academic resume template.

Refer to the given academic resume example and frame your education section in your resume effortlessly:

Academic Resume: Additional Credits

Apart from the details of your education, you can mention any relevant certification(s), Researches, Training, and Languages (that you speak or write).

You can also include details of any mention-worthy project(s) that you have credits for as it can boost the effectiveness of your academic cv.

Academic projects on resume can also raise the chances of your resume being shortlisted.

The credits that you mention should be relevant to the profile that you are applying for and should be justified likewise.

In the course of mentioning your credits do not get carried away and stuff your resume with unnecessary details that would not have any impact on your resume being shortlisted.

Make sure that all you include in your resume throws light on your potential and caliber that can validate your professional capabilities.

If you are still wondering how to make an academic resume, waste no more time and visit our Online Resume Builder!

Your skills say a lot about you at the professional level and you should make sure to highlight them in your resume while applying for your dream job.

To be acknowledged as an expert in your line of work you should possess a certain set of skills that connects you with the targeted job profile.

A resume is your banner that you can raise to brag about your potential.

While doing so remember to keep it subtle and humble yet intriguing because the whole point is to get the attention of potential employers and hiring managers who can give you the required shortlist.

You should also keep in mind that your resume should have relevant and enough keywords that can get you past the ATS.

For a non-technical job, you may not be required to be equipped with technical skills. But that does not mean you cannot mention the ones that you are proficient with.

Simply list it below your functional skills.

Look at the given academic resume sample displaying the skills section on a resume:

Hiration's guide to skills on resume contains all the detailed tips and guides. Go through it and learn more about skills on resume.

Include a resume summary or resume objective for your academic resume.

It is the best way to wrap up your resume as well as give the recruiters an insight into what they are about to observe in your framed academic resume.

Academic Resume Summary

The following is a list of all that you should keep in mind and follow while writing your summary for academic resume:

• Include a summary for academic resume only if you have work experience for more than 3 years to mention in your resume.
• Save time and avoid unnecessary editing of your resume summary by composing it once the rest of your resume is done.
• Go through your professional experience section wherein you should pick the highlights of your career to mention in your summary.
• Mention your achievements, skills, and any significant points that reflect your professional expertise in your summary.
• Compose your resume summary in 3-4 lines. Only those professionals with 10+ years of experience can consider writing a limit of 5 lines.

The given academic resume example can give you a clear picture of what an ideal summary for academic resume should look like:

Writing a resume should be hassle-free hence the professionals at Hiration's Online Resume Builder are here to provide you with the best online resume service.

Academic Resume Objective

Include an academic resume objective if you have no work experience or have limited work experience of less than 3 years.

You can also include an academic resume objective if you are a fresh graduate writing an entry level resume to get an entry into the workforce for the first time.

Keep it low-key while composing an academic resume objective because the whole idea is to sell your skills and not come forward as a demanding amateur.

Before you start writing your academic resume objective make sure to read Hiration's guide on resume objectives .

Resume Review Service

Simply upload your existing academic resume on our Online Resume Builder and get insightful from professionals on what changes you can make in your resume to make it shortlist-worthy.

Your resume will be reviewed by our experts in compliance with the following parameters:

• Content Relevance
• Recruiter Friendliness
• Design Compatibility
• Conversion Scope
• ATS Compliance
• Global Compatibility
• Performance Assessment
• Resume Formatting
• Compliance with industry norms

Make the best use of our Resume Review Service today!

Online Resume Builder

The resources listed below comes with Hiration Resume Builder

• Option to save unlimited resumes
• Intuitive next text suggestion
• Auto bold feature
• 25+ resume designs
• LIVE resume score
• JD-resume matcher
• Full rich-text editor
• Unlimited PDF downloads
• 100+ pre-filled resume templates
• 1-click design change
• A sharable link
• LIVE resume editor

Go ahead and try our Online Resume Builder and experience the professional resume-writing experience like never before!

Key Takeaways

Here are some key takeaways from our academic resume guide:

• Always make your resume ATS-compliant and include suitable keywords to stay a step ahead of every other professional.
• Include the distinct sections to build your resume effectively and make an impact in the job-world.
• Remember to go through the hiring guidelines before giving out any of your particulars and details.
• Construct an impeccable resume by describing your work experience in one-liners and applying bucketing and bolding.
• Mention noteworthy certifications, awards/recognitions, academic projects on resume to highlight your professional caliber.
• Create a separate section wherein you can highlight all your skills that are relevant to the job description.
• Include a suitable academic resume objective or summary for academic resume.

Go to Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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How to Write a College Resume That’ll Get You Hired (Plus an Example!)

When you’re in college, a strong resume is one of the first things that helps you land an internship or part-time job. It represents you to employers when you can’t be in the room (yet!) and is essential to convincing them to call you for an interview based on your previous experiences and current skills. Whether you have a resume you used for college applications or are starting completely from scratch, putting effort into your resume now gives you a higher likelihood of success and sets a solid foundation, making it a breeze to update in the future as you—and it—evolve.

If you feel like you have nothing to put on your resume, don’t worry. After advising hundreds of students on these documents, I know you have more to offer than you think! I frequently meet first-year college students who believe they can’t include many of the things they did before college on a resume. You absolutely can—and you should—until those get outranked by all the other awesome things you’ll accumulate over the course of your college career. Even if you’re a freshly minted high school graduate, you have valuable skills and experiences employers want, and this guide can help you showcase them.

Read on to learn about what goes on your resume, how to format it, and what else you can do to ensure it makes you shine—and to see our college resume example.

What Goes on a College Resume

In setting up your resume, you should use a few core sections to help you easily lay out all the information a recruiter is looking for when they make quick decisions about whether or not to interview you. (And yes, recruiters do skim, reportedly spending an average of 7.4 seconds making their first pass on a resume, so you want to make a good impression fast).

Contact Info

It’s traditional to start with your basic contact information at the top of your document including your name, email, phone, and the city and state where you live. Use your full name (and maybe bump up the font a point or two because you’re a big deal!), and if you have a nickname you prefer, you can include it in parentheses.

Use your college email as it’s typically professional and establishes your educational brand. Now is also a good time to check that your phone’s voicemail greeting is up-to-date. In case a recruiter calls while you’re busy—or you don’t recognize the number and swipe it to voicemail—this greeting could be their first impression of you. Even recording something as simple as, “ Hello, you’ve reached Christine. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible, ” can help them feel confident they reached the right person and that you’re able to present yourself professionally.

Your physical location can be based either on your school’s address or your permanent home address. If you’re targeting opportunities in one location or the other, include the most local address so they know you’re familiar with the area (and likely won’t have a problem finding housing).

Pro tip: Save space by listing your email, phone, and location all on one line. If you have a LinkedIn profile , you can add that in your contact information section as well. The result might look like this:

Karla Perez Stillwater, MN ∙ (000) 765-4321 ∙ [email protected] ∙ www.linkedin.com/krperez

For college students, education should be right below the contact information on your resume. This immediately orients your reader to the fact that you’re a current student and conveys important information, like what you’re studying. What you include in your education section can also demonstrate that you’re a good match for the opportunity you’re targeting, increasing your chances of a recruiter call.

The basics you should always include are:

• Your school’s name
• Your expected graduation date
• The type of degree you’re pursuing: For example, you might write “Bachelor of Arts” or “Associate’s Degree.”
• Any majors, minors, or concentrations: If you’re applying to opportunities in these areas, this will help an employer see you already have some knowledge and a motivation for working with them.

Depending on your personal strengths and what jobs you’re applying for, you might also want to include:

• Your GPA: But only if it’s strong. (It’s usually good to include 3.5 and above.) If you stumbled through some of the general requirements you had to take but nailed all the courses in your major, consider adding two GPAs—your cumulative GPA and your major GPA—to show you have stronger grades in your chosen discipline.
• Standardized test scores: If you’re applying to opportunities in quantitative fields, like finance or consulting, you might consider listing standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT.
• Relevant coursework: Selecting and highlighting three to five classes that match closely with the specific opportunity you’re applying to is a really fast way to tailor your resume and make you a more attractive match. For example, if you’re targeting an internship in computer science, you can list your “Introduction to Python” and “Introduction to Algorithms” classes.
• Other colleges or universities you’ve attended: If you’re a transfer student or you studied abroad at another university, adding these schools can signal that you have other strengths, such as cultural awareness or language skills, or give you a chance to highlight key classes you took elsewhere.
• Your high school: If you’re shooting for an opportunity local to your high school or went somewhere well-known, then you may want to keep that as your last entry for educational experience. Otherwise, high school is the first entry to cut when you’re short on space. It has gotten you to where you need to be, but the focus should now be on the higher-level degree you’re working on and you should dedicate as much space as you need to boast about all of your amazing college accomplishments!

Here is an example of what a completed “Education” section might look like:

Candidate for Bachelor of Arts degree ,   St. Olaf College , Northfield, MN Double Major: Political Science and Economics ∙ Expected Graduation: May 2023 ∙ GPA: 3.7 Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Political Theory, Politics and Human Rights, Global Interdependence

The experience section is where the real substance of your resume lives. This is the chance to show a snapshot of the jobs and internships you’ve had (if any), the work you did, the skills you used, and your accomplishments. Let’s talk about what experience you can include, how to pull out skills and demonstrate your value, and what it should look like on the page.

Experience can cover a lot of things. It can be full-time jobs, part-time jobs, internships, or research. Unpaid work—like volunteer and community roles—counts too! Don’t discount the value these other kinds of experiences can add to your resume just because you didn’t earn money. You can leverage all of your experiences on a resume by pulling out transferable skills , or broader talents you’ve developed that will be beneficial even if you aren’t applying to the same type of role.

Take a significant class project, for example. That can be built out as experience as long as you’re clear it was for a class. If you worked on a group project, you probably collaborated on a team, organized, worked under deadlines, completed some independent tasks, presented your work to others, and had some kind of outcome. Even if you were doing something that might not seem widely applicable, like designing a rocket, many of those skills can transfer over to another role. Say you had to do cost comparisons for the materials you selected for your rocket, those same analysis skills could be useful to a business role or for a part-time job where you have to order supplies for a restaurant.

You can also create targeted headers for your Experience section(s) if there are themes that correlate with the internship or part-time job you want. Specific headers—such as “Research Experience,” “Marketing Experience,” or “Software Engineering Experience”—can immediately help your reader see that you’re aligned with the needs they have for their open role.

If you don’t have something that specific, it’s OK. You can still shift your experiences into categories like “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience.” For example, if you’re applying to research roles, you’d want to put any research related work under “Relevant Experience,” and your cashier job and website building side hustle would go under “Additional Experience.” These two headers are great for allowing you to bump the best of your experiences up toward the top of your resume.

Once you decide which headers to use, make sure each entry includes basic information—the title of your role, the organization’s name, the location, and the dates you worked there—along with bullet points describing what you accomplished. For example:

Intern , Minnesota State Senate , St. Paul, MN June 2019–August 2019

• Researched prior legislation and current bills, summarized content, and identified alternate actions
• Coordinated the schedule for Senator Harriet Maxwell and kept accurate minutes for all meetings
• Drafted memos for important interoffice updates outside of normal meeting schedule

A skills section is a great way to make your most valuable knowledge and expertise stand out—and be easily spotted by a recruiter. Which skills belong in your own skill section depend on the jobs you’re applying for, so be sure to read the job description carefully to figure out what skills are most relevant for each particular role.

Skills that might appear in this section include (but are definitely not limited to): technical skills; software or other tools you know well; languages you can speak, read, or write; other job-specific skills like using a POS system or cash register; and, for some jobs, even your ability to drive different vehicles.

From this range, you can see why it’s important to change things up based on what job you’re applying to! Some skills—for example, being fluent or conversational in a second language—might be relatively permanent fixtures on a college resume. If you’re looking for a part-time job waiting tables, you might add the fact that you can bartend, whereas you might list your mastery in JavaScript instead when going after that software engineering internship you have your eye on.

Once you’ve decided which skills are most important for this role, you can simply list them on your resume. If you have a few different types of skills, you can separate them into categories. For instance:

Languages: Spanish (Fluent); Russian (Basic) Software: JavaScript, Python, CSS

Note that just listing your skills in a separate section isn’t always enough. You also want to make sure to describe how you’ve used key technical and job skills elsewhere on your resume (usually in the bullet points of your experience section).

Other Optional Sections

There are some other sections you can consider adding depending on your experiences and what your target employer might be looking for. For example, a consumer product firm might be looking for examples of design work. In that case you could add a section called “Design Projects,” which might include significant assignments from some of your academic classes or independent projects that you’ve developed in your spare time. Don’t be afraid to include links to your work if you’re submitting your resume online! (Just avoid hyperlinking out from important words, as this could trip up the online systems that scan most resumes.)

Another popular section is “Leadership Experience” where roles like being the vice president for one of your student organizations or being a co-captain for your athletic team would be a good fit. Employers love to see leadership themes on resumes, as it demonstrates the transferable soft skills they’re looking for like communication, collaboration, and initiative.

An “Activities” section can also demonstrate skills. If you dedicate time to learning more about consulting cases with your consulting club, you likely increased your analytical skills in a team setting, which is valuable for many business roles. If you’re an athlete, you can showcase your ability to manage your time, create or be part of a cohesive team, or organize and motivate teammates during practices. These skills gained as an athlete can be ideal if you’re applying for a heavily collaborative role. Additionally, if the activities that you’re involved in are directly applicable to the job, these are powerful to include as it demonstrates interest and dedication. So if you’re majoring in healthcare administration, adding that you’re a member of the Healthcare Society on your campus can be a major plus for an employer.

Any optional sections like these will usually need to be set up similar to your experience entries. Include the organization (or class), your role, the location, the dates you participated, and your key achievements. Here is an example of an entry you might put under a “Leadership” heading:

Head Delegate , Model United Nations , Northfield, MN September 2019–April 2020

• Researched global topics such as human rights and sustainable energy and developed persuasive positions
• Represented Chile as a delegate in an education simulation at a conference with 2,000+ participants; negotiated with others and collaborated on common goals to deliver resolutions on political issues
• Liaised between the delegation and the Secretariat, serving as a first point of contact and resolving issues

6 Tips for Writing a Successful College Resume

From formatting to crafting strong descriptions, attention to detail can pay off when tackling your resume. Here are six tips to help you develop a great resume:

1. Choose the Right Resume Format for You

Your parents or other family members might share their resume and have you copy it because it has worked for them. But they’re at a different place in their career and their format may not be the best one for you.

There are three main types of resume formats for laying out your experiences, skills, and education—the functional resume , the combination/hybrid resume , and the chronological resume . The chronological format is almost always the best fit for college students.

With a chronological resume, you’ll list your experiences within each category/section in reverse chronological order (most recent to least recent, based on end date). Since this is the most traditional and common resume format, recruiters are familiar with it and can quickly see what you have to offer.

2. Be Clear and Consistent

In terms of resume formatting, there are a lot of small choices to make about things like font, style, and spacing. Whatever you decide, make sure it is easily readable, consistent, and not overly fancy. You could have the greatest content in the world, but if it’s too difficult or annoying to read, a recruiter is going to move on.

In order to make a document easy to scan, use clear headers for your sections. Maybe they’re bold and in all caps, or maybe they’re a couple font sizes larger, but they should be the same throughout your resume. The rest of your content should be consistent as well. For example, all your organization or previous employer names might be in italics, your dates all right aligned, your locations in plain text, and the titles of your roles in bold. Keeping things uniform helps the recruiter easily absorb all the relevant information you want them to have.

3. Make Sure It Can Pass Through an Application Tracking System (ATS)

Formatting is also important because your resume will likely pass through something called an applicant tracking system (ATS), a type of software that helps recruiters organize incoming candidate applications. Recruiters can apply filters or search for keywords, and the ATS will show candidates matching the desired criteria, making it easier to identify good candidates in large applicant pools.

In order for your resume to pass this first round and make it to the human who has the power to get you to an interview, the ATS needs to see you’re a good match. But there are formatting choices that can confuse an ATS—for example, some won’t read the content inside tables, text boxes, or graphics. And if the ATS can’t read your materials, your resume might be filtered out. (Read more about formatting your resume for an ATS here .)

This all means that using one of the fancy resume templates you see online isn’t necessarily the best move . Most basic formatting can be achieved with bolding, italics, and spacing, and you will still end up with a good-looking resume—meaning that starting with a blank document can actually be a better bet. (If you still want to use a template, we’ve curated 41 free ATS-friendly templates here .)

4. Create Impactful Descriptions

Give the descriptions you use for your experiences some TLC, as this is what recruiters will focus on once you’ve caught their attention. I often discover students undersell—or simply forget—all the things they’ve done that might be interesting and of value to an employer (including those transferable skills).

Here’s an exercise that can help. Reflect on an experience (such as an internship you had or volunteer work you completed) and quickly jot down what you did. You don’t need to have much structure for this—try it as a brainstorm. Think about answering some of these questions:

• What was your role?
• What were the goals for that position or experience?
• What tasks did you specifically do?
• What projects did you work on?
• Were there any side projects or tasks you completed?
• Who did you work with?
• What did you contribute?
• What did you accomplish? (Or what did/do you intend to accomplish? This can be a useful way to think about things especially when considering research or longer term projects that are still in progress!)
• Can it be quantified? Numbers can paint a clear and impressive picture of your accomplishments to someone reading your resume. You might write that you fundraised as part of the Student Government Association, and that will generally get your point across, but if you can say you increased SGA fundraising by 30% and were able to create two new social events attended by 100+ students each, that will make more of an impact. Look for ways to quantify your accomplishments wherever possible.

Once you have a good brainstorm, take the information you gathered and try crafting several statements using this formula:

Action Verb + Subject + Outcome/Purpose/Result (i.e. Accomplishment)

So you might say:

Organized a fundraiser event for 70 participants resulting in $1,000 in donations to a local hospital

Your descriptions are most valuable when leading with an action verb that reflects specific skills. For example, swap “Worked on” for “Collaborated on” and “Responsible for” with “Oversaw.” Other verbs I often recommend students use include:

• Communicated
• Facilitated

5. Tailor Your Resume for Each Opportunity

Always tailor your resume to each specific job you apply to. Making it easy for the recruiter to connect your skills to what they are looking for can increase your chances of success. The job description is your blueprint and key to doing this. A couple of these exercises could help you identify what you’ll want to highlight.

• Activity 1: Take the job description and go through and underline everything you’ve had some experience in. This might be specific tasks, software/programs/tools, or qualities. Write a quick note in the margin to highlight when you’ve done that. Underline things where you have transferable skills too. For example, if you’ve used a software that is similar to a software they’re looking for, underline it. A recruiter should be able to see on your resume that you used similar skills and would be a quick study.
• Activity 2: If you aren’t sure which skills to emphasize, take the entire job description and pop it into a simple online word cloud generator, like TagCrowd . It automatically shows you the words most used in the description, which are likely of highest importance to the company or role. If you have those skills, make sure you mention them in your descriptions and mirror the language as exactly as possible (our friend the ATS will be looking for precise keywords!).

These activities can help you identify the right action verbs, keywords, and tools—like software—to weave into your descriptions. They can also help you decide what past experiences to include or which of your college courses are relevant to this role and which direct and transferable skills to highlight to make your resume a stronger fit for your target job.

6. Keep a Few Other Tried-and-True Tips in Mind

Here are a few other parting tips to keep in mind as you build your document:

• Avoid writing in first person (“I,” “we,” “our,” and “my” statements).
• Bullet points will make your document more readable—usually two to three per entry works well. But it doesn’t have to be even: Give more description space to the most relevant entries.
• Attention to detail matters. Proofread—not just for typos, but to make sure formatting is consistent (like date dashes). Employers will use your resume to make assumptions about how detail-oriented you are.
• Review any headers you put in all caps. Some spell checkers are programmed to assume that they’re acronyms and skip them.
• Ditch jargon and acronyms wherever possible. Don’t assume the reader always knows what you’re talking about. Sometimes the first person reading your document is a general recruiter and not familiar with the technical side of a role.
• Be aware of tenses. If you’ve completed an experience, those descriptions will be in past tense, and current roles can be described in present tense. (If you’re still actively involved in a role you can list the role through “Present,” and if more than one entry has the same end date, make a strategic decision to put the most relevant experience first.)
• Acceptable margins are usually between one and 0.7 inches.
• Pick a readable font, like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and try not to go below font size 11.
• As a college student, stick to a one-page resume. However, you should consider keeping a longer version (called a master resume) for your own personal use. That’s where you keep a full record of your experiences to make it easier to pull out the relevant ones each time you tailor your resume for a specific job.

What Does a College Resume Look Like?

A college resume should showcase your education, experiences, and skills (direct and transferable!) in a clear way, while keeping in mind what is most relevant to your target employer. The resume below shows a student highlighting their relevant education and experiences specifically for internship opportunities in government and politics.

Download sample college resume

There are many ways to write and format a resume. Ultimately, you want one that best represents you and your accomplishments to recruiters for the job at hand. Try out some of these tips, and I hope they help you succeed in catching that recruiter’s eye!

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., write a high school student resume for college applications.

Think resumes are only for job seekers? Think again. A high school student resume gives colleges a snapshot of your accomplishments, extracurriculars, hobbies, and work history. They can also be a useful tool for prepping for a college interview or to give to the teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation .

Not sure how to get started? Follow our tips for crafting a standout resume for college and scholarship applications.

What should go on a high school student resume for college admissions?

Any of the sections below could appear on your resume for college applications. Pick an assortment that works for you!

• Heading with your name, address, and e-mail
• High school information with your graduation date, GPA (weighted), class rank, and SAT/ACT scores
• Academic awards, publications, honors, and other achievements
• Coursework (summer programs, college courses, or other specialized workshops that do not appear on your high school transcript)
• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Work experience
• Special skills (e.g. foreign language fluency or HTML expertise)

When should you submit a resume to colleges?

Some colleges and scholarship committees request or recommend that you include a high school resume with your application materials. (But don’t submit a resume if they don’t ask for one—following instructions is a key application strategy.) Bring your resume to college interviews and give copies to your college counselor and teachers so that they can write you the strongest possible recommendation letter.

Tips for Composing Your College Admissions Resume

1. keep it concise..

Pare down the activities you showcase to the most brag-worthy and most representative of you as a candidate. Do colleges need to know that you were on the field hockey team for one semester in Grade 9? Probably not. The standard rule of thumb is to stick to one or two pages.

2. Focus on depth and length of commitment.

When deciding which activities and accomplishments make the cut, keep in mind that colleges would much rather see you excited about one or two key experiences than sporadic involvement in 20 clubs. If having an after-school job limited your ability to participate in clubs or sports, make sure your resume plays up your work responsibilities, training, and on-the-job skills.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Applying to College

3. Provide detail whenever possible.

The details are what set a resume apart from a list of extracurriculars on a standard college application. For example, when describing your involvement in the French Club make sure to include:

• school years/hours per week you participated
• specific contributions (e.g. "Organized a successful after-school film series to introduce our community to French cinema and culture" )
• leadership roles (e.g. "Treasurer, Grade 12" )
• unique details that will make you stand out

4. Highlight things you weren’t able to write about in your college essays or short answers.

Use your high school resume to show colleges something new. If your devotion to photography didn’t make it on the application but is a big part of who you are, then showcase your photography cred on your resume.

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5. Formatting is key.

Make your resume easy to scan. Divide information into sections with clear headings, bulleted lists, and a consistent font. Use a system of organization that works for you. (Chronological, by importance of activity, or by time commitment are a few options.) Don’t forget to proofread !

6. Be honest and accurate.

Colleges know how to spot inconsistencies in your high school student resume, and they won’t hesitate to call your counselor to verify information that doesn't seem right. So don't tell them that you have practice for the school play for 30 hours per week—unless drama club is somehow your full-time job!

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Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide

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A resume is a concise, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills, and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions.

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How To Write A College Student Resume (With Examples)

• General Resume Examples
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As a college student, a resume may seem daunting because you may not have much experience, but there are a lot of other opportunities to make your resume stand out to employers. The opportunities that you can showcase include any volunteering you did, studying abroad, any specialized classes, or internships you’ve done.

To help you write your college student resume, we’ll go over how to write a college student resume, provide a resume example, and go over some tips to keep in mind.

Key Takeaways:

Emphasize your education and honors/awards received in college.

Take advantage of the many opportunities college gives to you and use those to spice up your resume.

Make your resume job/ internship application-specific.

Include extracurriculars, volunteer experiences, certifications, publications, interesting projects, or impressive leadership experiences if you have any.

What is a college student resume?

How to write a college student resume, current college student resume example, college student resume template, tips for writing a college student resume, college student resume faq, final thoughts.

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A college student’s resume is a document that summarizes your academic qualifications and your time spent in college. You probably had to write a brief resume for your college applications. Writing a resume as a college student is similar to that, except with a more professional edge.

Since you don’t have years of professional experience, hiring managers will understand when you don’t have that, which is why they will be looking at your academic history. They will be wondering how you have applied yourself in college both inside and outside of the classroom.

As mentioned above, college is full of opportunities to have enriching experiences. Take advantage of them — they will greatly help you not only by filling out those blank spots on your resume but also by giving you something to stand out from the rest of the competition .

Hiring managers and recruiters will be looking for signs of maturity, self-motivation, and work ethic . Keep these elements in mind as you decide how best to sell yourself based on your college experiences.

To write a college student’s resume, you should start with a resume header that includes your contact information and then go into your resume objective statement. Your top claim to fame is your educational experience and the extracurricular activities you were involved with.

Here’s a more detailed list of what each section of your resume should include:

Resume header . Your resume header should include your contact information. Open with your first and last name, which should be a slightly larger size or otherwise emphasized above all else. Include your location ([City, State] is fine), phone number, and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn or an online portfolio , feel free to include a link to those here as well.

Important tip: Never put your contact information into an actual header on your word processing software. Some applicant tracking systems (robots that parse resumes to weed out unqualified candidates) can’t read the information in a header.

If the ATS can’t find your contact information, your resume will be thrown out before it even reaches a human reader .

Resume objective statement . We normally steer job-seekers away from resume objectives toward resume summary statements .

However, it’s perfectly appropriate for a college student to use a resume objective instead. Be sure to keep it short (1-3 sentences), include keywords from the job description, and state your relevant skills and career goals.

That being said, if you have substantial or impressive work/internship experience under your belt that truly makes you perfect for the position, opt for a resume summary statement that emphasizes your qualifications and expresses your value to the employer.

Education . Depending on how valuable you find your education section as compared to your experience section, you can swap the order around. We put education third based on the assumption that it’s your most valuable asset at the moment.

Your education section should always include the following information:

Name/Location of the school you attended

Dates attended, date graduated, or anticipated date of graduation

Name of your major/degree

The rest of the information is optional, but more is usually better (especially if the rest of your resume is light):

GPA (if it’s over 3.5)

Minor (if relevant)

Academic honors (Latin titles, Dean’s List , Honors Programs, etc.)

Merit scholarships

Publications and/or research

If you really want to beef up your education section, you can also include more details about relevant coursework . This can be a great way to incorporate keywords from the job description and showcase that you have solid foundational knowledge.

Experience . Once you’ve progressed in your career, this will be a history dedicated to your work history, but for now, keep the heading more open-ended by calling it something like “Relevant Experience.” The reason why this heading works is because it allows you to put down a whole host of experiences in just one section. Items you can put here include:

Work experience (summer jobs, part-time work, etc.)

Internships

Volunteer work

Freelancing experience

Relevant coursework (if you didn’t include it in your education section already)

Study abroad

Club membership/leadership positions

In general, you should keep things in reverse chronological order (the most recent stuff first). Always be sure to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Make it easy for a reader to see what value you added to each experience you were a part of.

Extracurriculars. If you’re a part of one or many extracurricular activities, it might be worth including a separate section detailing your involvement with each. Be sure to highlight the key skills you picked up from each experience to show how it relates to the job you’re applying for.

Skills . You’ve certainly acquired some skills during your time in college. Try to give a healthy mix of hard skills and soft skills . Hard skills are those you must be taught, and be tested or measured in some way. Soft skills refer to the intangible, interpersonal qualities that make you great to work with.

Where you can, add a bit of detail to flesh out each skill more fully. For example, if you put down “HTML” as a skill, give a brief description like “wrote webpages during a 3-month internship with XYZ Inc.”

Also, try to make sure that each soft skill you list comes with a correlating piece of data in your experience section. For instance, if you write that you have excellent communication skills , there better be some proof of those skills in action elsewhere on your resume.

Hobbies and interests . If you’re still not at a full page , you can consider adding relevant hobbies and interests. Even something seemingly irrelevant, like a love of working on miniature models, can paint a picture of a candidate who regularly hones her attention to detail in her free time.

Remember, every resume should be job-specific . You should b e tailoring it to each job you apply to. This will help you get noticed by hiring managers.

With that in mind, check out this current college student resume example:

Prateek Student

102 University Blvd. | University, CA 33409 | (555) 555- 5555 | [email protected] CAREER OBJECTIVE Dedicated outdoor education student with extensive teaching experience seeking hands-on internship opportunities.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE The Pool Pros, University, California Lifeguard Senior Manager and Educator (June 2015-May 2018

• Managed over 100 lifeguards at three public pool locations.
• Completed 20 training classes for lifeguard certification and recertification each season.
• Organized and implemented water conservation and education classes for 50 students per season.

Outdoor Leadership Liaison and Leader, (August 2017- May 2018)

• Organized outdoor excursions for 200+ university students.
• Led training workshops for outdoor skills monthly to 20 students per workshop.
• Kept communications between outdoor nonprofit leaders and university officials to ensure the safety of university students while on excursions.

National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Lander, Wyoming Wilderness Medicine and Rescue Semester Team Leader, (August 2018- May 2019)

• Led 15 students on two semester-long wilderness immersion school expeditions.
• Trained students in wilderness safety, leave no trace principles and each student completed Wilderness EMT certifications.

EDUCATION CERTIFICATIONS California State University , University, California Bachelor in Outdoor Education and a minor in emergency medical response GPA: 3.90 Graduated May 2018 Received NOLS scholarships for a semester abroad in India. Dean’s List all semesters.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) , California Licensure Wilderness EMT certificate expiration date May 2020 EMT certification expiration date May 2020 BLS Healthcare responder expiration date August 2021

Here is a college student resume template to help you get started on yours. Be sure to tailor your resume to fit your needs and the position you are applying for:

Your name [Address, City, State ZIP code]| [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile (optional)] CAREER OBJECTIVE Dedicated and motivated college student seeking [Internship/Part-time] EDUCATION [Degree Pursuing, e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science] [University Name, City, State] [Expected Graduation Month, Year] [GPA: X.X/4.0] Relevant Courses [Course Name] [Course Name] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Job Title] [Company/Organization Name, City, State] [Dates of Employment] [Brief description of responsibilities and achievements] [Job Title] [Company/Organization Name, City, State] [Dates of Employment] [Brief description of responsibilities and achievements] EXTRACURRICULAR [Club/Organization Name, Position held, Dates] [Brief description of your role and contributions]

When writing a college student resume, you should include action verbs to help show what you did and be sure to keep your resume relevant to the job you are applying to. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when writing yours:

Use action verbs. Action verbs help you show a potential employer what you did. Some example action verbs to use are:

Proofread. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is sending your resume in without proofreading it first. Take an extra couple of minutes and read through your resume for any spelling or grammar mistakes. You can even have a friend or a professor look over it to catch anything you might have missed.

Choose the right format. You want your resume to be easy to read so make sure you choose a format that won’t get tossed aside because it has a million different fonts and colors. The top resume formats to use are chronological, functional, and combination.

Keep it relevant. You only want to add the relevant information. They won’t want to hear about your pottery club if you are applying for a tech company. Rereading the job description is a great way to know what relevant information you should include. This will

Get help. If you are completely stuck, ask for help. They have centers at most colleges that help with this kind of thing. They won’t judge you for having the wrong format or too much information. The entire point of college is to learn and get prepared for the workforce, and getting help is doing that.

Getting help will also give you feedback on how to improve your resume. Career centers are the best places to get help with resumes and cover letters .

Keep it to one page. Since you don’t have much experience, your resume should be one page long. If your resume is too long, potential employers will pass yours over. Keeping your resume to one page will also help you keep it relevant and concise.

Select the right font. The font that you use should be professional and easy to read. The most professional fonts are sans-serif or serif fonts and examples of those include Calibri, Helvetica, and Georgia .

What should be on a college resume?

A college resume should include education history, relevant jobs, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and any skills relevant to the job.

Since college students may not have much work experience, it’s important to emphasize your education history and any relevant jobs that may have armed you with skills for the job you’re applying for.

You can also demonstrate your abilities by including volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities.

How do you write a resume for a college application?

The five things you need to write a resume for a college application are:

Your relevant contact information

Detailed education history and test scores

Experiences

Awards/honors

Any additional skills you’d like to share

These are the different sections required for a resume for a college application. Most sections are self-explanatory, but your experiences section might be a little tricky for some.

In this section, you have the opportunity to differentiate yourself because you’ll want to articulate more than your responsibilities. Focus on your accomplishments and provide numbers for context and scale.

Do you need a resume for college?

No, you don’t need a resume for college, unless a school specifically requests one. The items typically requested on a college resume are typically things that are asked on your college application.

However, resumes can be used to streamline this information and can be advantageous for those with extensive leadership achievements in and outside of the classroom.

A resume can also be used to tell a story, rather than just a list on an application, and can allow applicants to expand on experiences not mentioned in other places.

How can a college student make a resume for a first job?

A college student should include contact information, a resume summary, education, experience, skills, and any additional achievements on their resume for a first job. The candidate should have the relevant experience to draw on for an entry-level job by including all of this information.

Many managers hiring for entry-level jobs understand that college students may not have extensive work experience and will be looking for certain keywords throughout the resume that highlight education, experience, and skills.

Education can include your degree or any special training, experience may include work, volunteer, or internship experience, and skills may include anything that highlights a good fit for the open position.

How long should a college student’s resume be?

A college student’s resume should be one page. Resumes should be this length so that employers and hiring managers can review them quickly. Typically those looking to hire a candidate only have a few minutes to review a resume, so you should make sure it’s relevant and succinct, with all of your impressive information listed early.

Once you gain more experience, your resume may become longer but is typically only recommended for those applicants with over ten years of experience in the workforce.

How do you write a resume for college with no experience?

When writing a resume for college with no experience, be sure to emphasize your education instead. Your education and experiences in school will be key in helping you craft an effective resume for college. Be sure to include relevant internships, any soft or hard skills you possess, and projects you may be proud of.

You may also want to include hobbies, interests, certifications, languages spoken, or any additional achievements you may have received, whether they were in or outside of an academic environment.

What makes a college resume stand out?

Any relevant experience you have will make your college resume stand out. Your relevant experience may include any internships, volunteer positions, or extracurricular activities. To get an idea of what relevant experience you should include, reread the job description. This will include any keywords that you can add to help make your resume stand out more.

Adding any relevant awards or achievements can help your resume stand out. Awards and achievements help show any potential employer that you have the skills and abilities to do the work.

Writing a resume as a current college student is exciting because of the flexibility you have in crafting it. Every college student will have a unique resume and that’s a great thing because it helps you stand out from each other.

When writing a resume as a current college student, keep in mind that the best way to make your resume stand out is by taking advantage of the many opportunities being in college gives you.

Try new things: take on a new project or volunteer opportunity. It not only will help your resume but will also give you great pre-professional experience that will help you decide which career path you should take .

Harvard Extension School – Resume and Cover Letters

University of Pennsylvania – Undergraduate’s student resume samples

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Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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