UNC Resume Guide for Students

A resume is a strategic marketing document—not just a job history. It’s meant to highlight your qualifications, skills, and experiences that align with the position you’re targeting. Be sure to individualize your resume for each position.

Think of your resume as a living document that evolves as you grow. You should update it regularly to reflect your most relevant and recent experiences. 

Basic guidelines to keep in mind: 

• Keep it to one page (unless you have extensive relevant experience). 
• Use clean, readable fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Helvetica) between 10–12 pt. 
• Save as PDF with a professional file name: Last_First_Resume.pdf 
• Be consistent throughout your entire document and be mindful of bolding and over-bolding 
• Include: Contact Info, Education, Experience, Leadership/Volunteer Roles, Certifications. 
• Do not include: Headshots, photos, excessive colors or designs, or unrelated personal details. 
• Proofread! Double-check for typos and verify company names and formatting. 
• You can (and should!) adjust section headings to match your experience and make your resume more relevant to your goals. Use headings that reflect what you’ve actually done, especially if you don’t have traditional job titles. 
• Instead of “Leadership,” try: Campus Involvement, Leadership & Service, Student Organizations, Community Engagement etc. 
• Instead of “Volunteer,” try: Service Experience, Community Impact, Outreach Work, Civic Engagement etc. 
• Other Custom Sections: Research & Projects, Creative Work, Study Abroad & Global Learning, Technical Skills & Tools etc. 

Tip: Consider building a ‘Master Resume’ with all your experience, then tailor a version of it to then create a tailored version for each job to which you apply.  

Use tools like Jobscan to compare your resume to a specific job description and optimize your keyword usage. 

Resume bullet points are the core of your resume—they demonstrate what you’ve accomplished, how you’ve contributed, and the value you can bring to a future employer. Your goal is to show results and impact, not just list responsibilities. 

Best practices for crafting bullet points include: 

1. Begin with a strong action verb (e.g., Managed, Designed, Led). Action Verbs 
2. Avoid vague phrases like ‘Responsible for’ or ‘Helped with’.  
3. Eliminate personal pronouns (‘I’, ‘my’) and complete sentences. 
4. Quantify your accomplishments (e.g., ‘Increased attendance by 30%’). 
5. Tailor each bullet to the job or internship description. 

Before-and-after examples are helpful to illustrate how to transform a generic duty into an impactful statement: 

❌ Before: Helped organize campus events 

✅ After: Organized and promoted 5 campus events, boosting attendance by 40% 

This small change shows not just what you did, but how well you did it. You want your bullet points to leave an impression! 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm bullet points, improve clarity, and match your resume to a job description. These tools can accelerate your writing process and help you be efficient and strategic. 

Ways AI Can Help: 

• Identify top skills from a job description (Prompt: ‘What skills are required for this job?’) 
• Rewrite bullets using industry-specific language (Prompt: ‘Revise this bullet for a marketing job: …’) 
• Generate bullet points from raw experience descriptions 
• Suggest action verbs (Prompt: ‘Suggest stronger verbs for: managed a team…’) 
• Proofread grammar and suggest formatting edits 

Remember: AI should support your writing—not replace your voice. Always review suggestions to ensure accuracy and authenticity. 

Check out UNC’s AI resources here:

• https://its.unc.edu/ai/copilot/ 
• Generative AI Resources for Learning – Generative AI at UNC (https://ai.unc.edu/learning/) 

To make writing bullet points easier and more effective, try using a framework to structure your thoughts. Frameworks can help you highlight not only what you did, but how and why it mattered. Below are three common models: 

Choose the framework that works best for the story you’re telling. The key is to highlight both the action and the result. 

In today’s job market, many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before they reach a human. To increase your chances of passing the ATS scan, it’s essential to include the right keywords—terms that appear in the job posting. 

What are Keywords? 

Keywords are words or phrases that reflect the skills, qualifications, tools, or knowledge required for a role. These may include: 

• Job titles: e.g., Marketing Intern, Data Analyst, Sales Associate 
• Skills: e.g., Social Media Strategy, Financial Modeling 
• Certifications: e.g., CPA, Google Analytics Certified 
• Software/Tools: e.g., Python, Tableau, Adobe Creative Suite 
• Action verbs: e.g., Led, Managed, Designed, Analyzed 

Where to Include Keywords 

• In your resume summary (if used)  
• In bullet points under each role 
• In your Skills section 
• In certifications or technical proficiencies 

Make sure your language matches the job description exactly. For example, if the posting says ‘Project Management,’ use that phrase—not just ‘Managed Projects.’ 

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills 

• Hard Skills (Technical Skills): Measurable and job-specific (e.g., Excel, SQL, Budgeting) 
• Soft Skills (Interpersonal Skills): Personal attributes that help you work well with others (e.g., Leadership, communication, collaboration, customer service) 

A resume and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) serve different purposes. Understanding when to use each is important, especially for students considering research, academia, or graduate school. 

Resume: 

• Typically 1 page (2 pages max) 
• Used for job and internship applications 
• Highlights key skills, experiences, and achievements 
• Tailored to each position 

CV (Curriculum Vitae): 

• No length limit 
• Used for academic, research, and some international jobs 
• Includes education, publications, presentations, research, grants, and scholarly achievements 
• Rarely tailored—intended to be comprehensive 

If you are applying to graduate school, fellowships, or research roles, you may be asked to submit a CV instead of a resume. For most internships or industry jobs, a resume is the right choice. 

An ATS is a software system used by employers to manage and screen job applications. These systems scan resumes for keywords and formatting to determine if a candidate meets the job criteria. 

Tips to Optimize for ATS: 

• Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10–12 pt size. 
• Avoid using tables, columns, graphics, or text boxes. 
• Use bold section headings (e.g., EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION). 
• Save and submit your resume as a .docx or simple PDF file. 
• Do not place content in headers or footers—ATS may not read it. 
• Use exact terms from the job description (e.g., ‘Certified Public Accountant’ and ‘CPA’). 
• Avoid keyword stuffing—ensure keywords are integrated naturally. 

Q: How long should my resume be?
A: One page is standard for students. If you have extensive relevant experience (e.g., military, industry work), two pages may be acceptable.

Q: Where should the Education section go? 
A: Place it at the top if you’re a student or recent graduate. Include degree, major, university, expected graduation date, GPA (if 3.0+), and honors.

Q: What if I have no internship experience? 
A: Use class projects, part-time jobs, volunteer work, and campus involvement. Emphasize transferrable skills.

Q: Should I customize my resume for each job? 
A: Yes! Tailoring helps you stand out by matching your skills and experience to each unique role. 

Q: What if I’m a veteran or non-traditional student? 
A: Highlight leadership and adaptability. Translate military or life experience into transferable industry language. 

Q: What do different industries look for? 
A: Business: Metrics and leadership. Creative: Portfolios. STEM: Skills and projects. Nonprofit: Service and impact etc. 

Q: Should I include a summary statement? 
A: Only if it adds value. Use it if changing careers or clarifying your focus. 

Q: Can I list coursework or skills? 
A: Yes. Especially helpful if you’re newer to the field. 

Q: Is it okay to use a resume template?
A: Yes—just choose a clean, ATS-friendly one with no graphics. 

Q: Should I include high school experiences? 
A: Only if you’re a first- or second-year student, or the experience is highly relevant. 

Q: I am graduating soon and seeking a resume review before I apply for positions. Where can I go for support? 
A: Two main options for career support include the UNC Career Center and the UNC Career Hub where you can explore school/program specific career services.

If you’re still unsure about your resume, have questions, or want help describing your experiences, we encourage you to make an appointment with your career office. We’re here to support you!

If you’re still unsure about your resume, have questions, or want help describing your experiences, we encourage you to make an appointment with your career office. We’re here to support you!

Find a Career Office for 1:1 support.

Every student’s resume can look a little different depending on their experiences. For example: 

• If you’re earning a dual degree (like Biology and Public Health), you may want to clearly list both under your Education section and tailor your resume for each field. 
• If you’ve held multiple roles in one organization (e.g., starting as a member and becoming President), list each role with dates and bullets under the same organization to show your growth etc.

These details can make a big difference in how your story comes across—your career office can help you navigate all of them. 

NEXT STEPS:

1. Download our Resume Checklist
2. Download a resume template for tailored for the industry in which you are seeking a job or internship.