Making an effective and competitive resume is an essential part of the graduate school application process and should be crafted with great care and intentionality. Writing graduate student resumes can be different than making resumes during previous stages of educational pursuits. Applying for the first job after graduation or applying for graduate school both have specific needs to make the application stand out in a competitive pool of applicants. In this article, you will find important information about the key elements to include in your graduate student resume and tips for making it succinct, impactful and engaging so that you can increase your chances at getting accepted.
1. Personal Information
It is important to include your contact information including your full name, address, email address, and phone number on your resume. Make sure the email address you include is professional and not something that you created for school or for fun. If you have a website, that should also be included on your resume. Additionally, if you are applying to a specific graduate school, listing the school name on resume is recommended.
Name & Contact Information
Your resume should include your name, email address, and phone number as the first piece of information on your resume. Make sure your name is spelled correctly and the email address you provide is professional.
Website
Including a website or portfolio of your academic work, can be a great way to showcase any accomplishments, ongoing projects, or research work you may have conducted. It is important to include a website that reflects your work, if you have one.
2. Education
Your education should include the programs you have completed and the schools you have attended for undergraduate school and any graduate school. Be sure to note the degree completion date and the amount of credits you have completed. This should include any degree programs that you have participated in, the universities or institutions you attended, the dates of attendance and graduation, locations of the universities or institutions, and the major and any minors you have earned. You should also provide an area for any relevant honors and awards you have received.
Degree Program
Include the degree program you are currently enrolled in and any that you may have completed. Indicate the start and end dates, number of credits completed and any applicable coursework.
Universities/Institutions
List all of the universities or institutions attended for both undergraduate and graduate studies. Be sure to note the cities and states of the universities/institutions, as well as the start and end dates.
Honors & Awards
Include any honors and awards received while a student at either undergraduate or graduate school. This could include scholarships, grants, or any notable awards.
3. Work Experience
Including your relevant work experience is a crucial element of your graduate student resume. This should include paid positions as well as internships, volunteer positions, or other related experiences. Include the name of the organization, job title, dates of employment, and job location. This can include either internships or volunteer experience that best exemplifies the skills and experiences that are relevant to the graduate school you are applying to. Additionally, you can include a brief description of the important duties and accomplishments you obtained from each job.
Name of Organization
List the name of the organization where the job was held. It’s important to be consistent with the name of the company or organization and only list the official company or organization name.
Job Title
Include the official title of the job within the organization.
Dates of Employment
Be sure to note the dates of employment for each job you list. Format should be month and year to month and year.
Job Location
Include the city, state, country, and zip code of each job listed.
Description of Position
Provide a brief summary of your responsibilities and accomplishments while holding each job listed.
4. Skills
Include a section on your resume that outlines your unique skills and strengths. This can include any skills related to the position you are applying for and could include technical, language, or creative skills. It is important to include a range of skills that indicate to the admissions team that you have the relevant tools for success in graduate school.
Technical Skills
List any technical skills that you have obtained in school or from a job. This could include any type of computer software or programs, lab or research skills, or any other skill related to technology.
Language Skills
If you have any experience with learning languages or speaking multiple languages, this is an important element to consider listing for graduate school. Make sure to indicate how fluent you are in the language and how long you have been learning it.
Creative Skills
Highlight any creative skills you have obtained while a student, through a job, or during a project. List any type of design, writing, or communication skills that may be applicable to any graduate school.
5. Professional Affiliations
This section will be a great place to list any professional affiliations that you have been involved in. This could include any type of student groups, internships, research projects, or journals that can indicate your commitment and proficiency in the field you plan to pursue in graduate school. Be sure to note the role you had in each of the organizations and any other special responsibilities or accomplishments.
Student Groups & Organizations
If you have been part of any student-led groups or organizations, it is important to include those on your resume. Make sure to include the role you had in the group or organization and any other responsibilities you had.
Internships & Research Projects
Include any internships, research projects, or other type of work experience you have gained while in undergraduate school or during graduate studies.
Journals & Publications
List any journals or publications you have been a part of. This can include any individual material you have had published, any articles you have co-authored, or any collective works experience you have had.
People also ask
What should a graduate student resume include?
A graduate student resume should include personal information such as a name, address, phone number, email, and website (if applicable). Education should include degree programs completed and universities or institutions attended. Work experience should include any related internships or volunteer experience. Professional affiliations should include student groups, internships, research projects, and any journals or publications.
What should I emphasize in my graduate student resume?
Areas to emphasize on a graduate student resume include relevant work experience, professional affiliations, technical skills, and awards and honors. It is also important to provide clear and accurate contact information, education, and job history.
What should I leave off my graduate student resume?
Information that is not applicable or helpful to the graduate school admissions process should be left off of a graduate student resume. This could include personal hobbies and interests, job descriptions that are unrelated to the graduate school program, or irrelevant skills.
Does a graduate student resume need to include references?
No, a graduate student resume does not need to include references. Generally, a reference list can be provided upon request from the admissions team.
What should the format of a graduate student resume be?
A graduate student resume should generally include concise and direct formatting such as clear points and bullet points. It should also include appropriate section headers such as “Education” and “Skills”.
Final Words
Creating a graduate student resume is an important part of the application process and requires precision and intentional reveals in order to make it competitive and engaging. It is crucial to include relevant work experience and honours, as well as unique skills and credentials. The information included should be succinct and direct, using appropriate formatting and section headers to ensure the graduate student resume is seen on top of the application pool. With these tips and considerations in mind, any prospective graduate student will have a well-rounded and effective resume for their next application.