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• Exploring Majors and Careers

Resumes and Cover Letters

• Interviewing
• Veteran Career Resources
• Resources for Students with Disabilities
• Contractual Agencies
• Tips for Student Employees
• Data, Trends and Transitions
• Career Services for Employers
• Career Support for Your Students
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Earn the (M)Talent Distinction

Your resume is a marketing tool, and often your first introduction to a potential employer, so you want to make the best impression possible. Resumes should be tailored to the job you are seeking, and should be a brief overview of your qualifications and experience to highlight particular accomplishments for a prospective employer.

Common elements include: Contact info, Education, Experience, Honors, Activities, & Affiliations, Academic Projects, and Skills.   

Quick resources to assist with resume writing:

• Recorded Resume Workshop
• Resume Workshop Slides  (including links to resources & resume examples)
• How to write strong bullet points
• Power Verbs
• Health Professions (HP) Resume Tips

Resume reviews and feedback are provided by our professionally trained career peers as well as our career coaches. Our goal is to return your individual review within 7 business days.

Writing your Resume

The sections below offer tips for specific sections of your resume. To get you started, we've created a few documents that you can download and edit - remember, you may have different section headings, more or less sections, etc.  Don't forget to use power verbs throughout!

Resume Formats, Common Structure, and Layout

There are common formats for writing a resume: the Chronological Resume, Combination Resume, and the Functional Resume. Remember, even with a common format, layout, and/or structure, your resume will still be unique!

Which Resume Format Should I Use?

Other recommended formatting, structure, and layout tips:.

• One-page to two-page resume is most common (two pages for years of relevant experience)
• Use consistent formatting throughout the resume: bolding, italics, font size, font style, date format (mm/yyyy or month year), etc. 
• One column format 
• Font size: 10-12 point (note: your name will be larger) and using a common font style (Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond)
• Use 0.5-1.0-inch margins
• Avoid using tables, grids, lines, and graphics
• Use templates only if it fits your needs
• Be concise with wording and make sure to proofread– don’t just rely on spell check! ( Microsoft Word does not catch ALL CAPITAL misspelled words)

Check the below section to find resume samples.

Heading (Contact Information)

Headings include how the employer can contact you.

• If you go by your middle name/preferred name, consider using an initial (E. Thomas Jones for Eugene Thomas Jones)
• Professional EMAIL - recommend use your UMICH.EDU email
• Phone Number - make sure your voicemail is set up professionally and not full 
• LinkedIn Customized URL (be sure to keep profile your up to date; more about using LinkedIn on our  Networking page)
• Full Address or City and State
• Other Websites or Professional Portfolios (specific to your field)

Your academic credentials are important to an employer, particularly if you are relatively new to the working world or if you are pursuing a job that requires specific training.

• Express your educational background clearly
• Avoid abbreviations (except for states).  Only abbreviate your degree if it is necessary to fit the space
• The school name, city, and state
• Type of degree (Ex: Bachelor of Science)
• Major(s), any minor(s)/concentration(s)
• Month and year granted or Expected Graduation month and year
• Optional: Overall GPA or Major GPA if 2.8 and above
• Optional: Relevant Coursework (Other common titles: Relevant Courses, Computer Courses, etc.) is commonly found within the Education section. Usually any courses level 200 or higher that are specific to the position/career field or departmental concentrations are included.
• Optional: Certifications, teaching endorsements , or honors

An objective is a brief sentence that clarifies any skills, abilities, or experience that align with the position you are applying for. Use your objective to answer the question "what can I do for the employer?"  Consider having an objective statement when you do not have a cover letter or you are attending a recruiting event/career fair.  

A powerful objective can be broken down into three parts :

• The title or function desired
• The skills that the job seeker brings to the position
• The results that the employer can expect

Objective Examples

Experiences can be highlighted in one section or broken up in a variety of ways. These sections indicate your value to the employer by highlighting accomplishments and skills you have developed through previous experiences. 

• Common section headings include: Experience, Work History, Work Experience, Relevant Experience, Professional Experience, Experience in [specific field]
• Other experiences to include (that may be their own section): Volunteer Experience, Practica, Field Experience, Internships, Military Experiences (check out the Other Resources  section at the bottom of this page or meet with a career coach for tips on translating your military skills to civilian terms)
• List experiences in reverse chronological order
• Include each job title and employer name (no supervisors or addresses needed)
• List city, state (or country), and accurate dates for each position
• Use bullet points with descriptive statements displaying skills, abilities, and professional accomplishments ( begin with a power verb )
• If present work, use present tense, if past use past tense (stay away from active tense)
• Try to include quantifiable results (number of people on a team, cost reductions, etc.) 

Additional Sections

Adding additional sections is strongly recommended if you have experience that has not been reflected through the rest of your resume. Some of these items might work well in previously mentioned sections and there may be other sections you include based on your personal experiences.

• Include any presentation, group projects, papers, etc. that highlight your skills related to a specific field (helpful for those with limited to no formal work experiences in their field)
• List in most relevant order (dates are not important here)
• Structure these similar to the "Experience" section or with a Project Title and a few descriptive statements 
• Include organizations, clubs, professional memberships, associations, leadership roles, etc.
• Organization's name and/or positions held (could be a similar design to an "experience" section)
• Highlight a descriptive statement of accomplishments (using power verbs) rather than stating "member"
• Employers are more concerned with what  rather than when  here (dates are not as important)
• Provide explanations for the names of organizations, if they are not self-evident
• Include awards, recognitions, scholarships, etc. 
• Consider honors and awards from employment, volunteer experiences, co-curricular activities, and academics 
• Include any specialized knowledge - relevant/industry-related skills (equipment or programming specific to the field/job)
• Foreign Languages 
• Computer Programs/Software
• Certifications (these could be listed within another section or in their own section)
• For specific software or industries (such as SAS, or CPA)
• State of Michigan (Elementary or Secondary) Provisional teaching
• Teaching endorsements (find your Michigan endorsement code ) : Math (EX), Early Childhood (ZA)

Applications by Email and Digital Copies

Applications by Email:

• Always include a brief note in the body of the email stating what you’re applying for, what materials you have attached, and how to contact you.
• This can also be a good opportunity to reiterate your excitement for the position.

Application File Names and Saving Documents:

• Example: JonathanWolverineResume.pdf or JonathanWolverineCoverLetter.docx
• When sending by e-mail or posting on your LinkedIn, saving as a PDF prevents your formatting from getting jumbled; some online application systems cannot process PDFs, so always follow specific system instructions.

Other Tips:

Additional tips provided by Career Services, Talent Gateway, ICMC, CASL Internships, and CECS Co-op Staff

• This is not easy, this can be overwhelming, and you are not alone in this process! 
• Use a template only if it fits your needs (Ex: BA 300)
• There's no such thing as a “perfect” or “finished” resume
• Consider all experiences: classes, projects, student orgs, volunteer, leadership, awards, publications, presentations, certifications, special skills, etc. 
• All resumes are different (even if formatting looks similar) 
• POWER VERBS  - use them! ( see Resume Power Verbs and Transferable Skills )

Resume Tips for Specific Fields

Education degrees.

While similar to the resumes described above, if you're seeking a job in education there are a few additional tips to consider.

Elements to Consider when Describing Teaching Experience When describing your teaching experience, include any teaching experience such as substitute teaching, student teaching and practical/observations as well as your classroom experience. Specify if you have special skills such as

• Multi-level subjects taught – ex: reading groups, math groups
• Integrated curriculum/cross-disciplinary teaching/team teaching
• Special methodologies – ex.: Math Their Way, Hunter Units
• Special testing, ex:  the Iowa Basic
• Teaching endorsements

Also include related experiences such as:

• Camp counseling
• Coaching or other extracurricular activities (plays, fairs, etc.)
• Aide experience
• Extra duties (e.g.,) playground, lunch room, study hall, bus duty
• Internships and assistantship
• Volunteering
• Social service work involving youth
• Supervising field trips

... or other experiences demonstrating transferable skills or work history.

Include elements that make your teaching experience unique, such as the populations you've worked with:

• Students with physical disabilities
• Students with visual impairments
• Students with hearing impairments
• ESL/Bilingual
• Mainstreamed students
• Inclusion students
• Exchange students
• Gifted students
• Students with learning disabilities

Business Degrees

For students in the College of Business, the Internship and Career Management Center (ICMC)  is here to support you. They help students explore careers, assist with resume and internship prep, host networking events and much more!

They also provide templates for cover letters and resumes that you can customize to make your own.

Resume Samples and Templates

Here are a few samples so you can see the different types of resumes. The two listed as "templates" are Word documents that you can edit and make your own.

• Chronological Resume
• Combination Resume Template
• Functional Resume Template
• Pre-Health Resume
• Student Veteran Resume
• Education Resume

Cover Letter Tips and Suggestions

Writing a cover letter.

A cover letter is an introduction to your resume and your qualifications. An employer uses cover letters to determine your interests in the position and to assess your written communication skills. It is important to remember that a cover letter is not just a copy of your resume; it should intrigue the employer enough to read your attached resume.

A cover letter should answer the following questions:

• What is the position?
• Why are you applying for it?
• What do you hope to gain from the position?
• Why are you qualified?
• What unique skills or experiences do you have?

Cover Letter Sample

Career Services

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Cover Letter Guide

How to Apply to Math REUs

For undergraduates potentially interested in going to graduate school for math or just curious about math research in general, REUs are a great way to gain research experience. I attended two REUs in the past and had great experiences, so I’ve put together this page in hopes that it might be helpful to anyone who’s considering applying. A lot of inspiration for this page came from Alex Lang’s NSF GRFP page , which is an excellent resource if you are a junior and plan to apply for the NSF next year!

What is an REU?

Outline of application process and components, factors to consider when applying, general tips, recommendation letters, personal/research statement, what to do after you’ve been accepted.

Disclaimer: Everything stated on this page is my personal opinion; it is not the opinion of any institution or REU program that I’m affiliated with. This advice is based on my own limited personal experience. Any suggestions for improvements are very welcome.

Link to my homepage

Links to other peoples’ REU application advice: Math REU Advice , Professor Courtney Gibbons , Rose-Hulman REU

An REU (research experience for undergraduates) is a summer program designed to introduce undergraduates to mathematical research. They typically run for about 6–8 weeks, and usually pair an undergraduate or a small group of undergraduates with a mentor (faculty member or postdoc or grad student) to work on a project. REUs are a full-time commitment—a stipend is provided (usually restricted to US citizens or permanent residents), and most places will provide housing and/or meals. In addition to research, REUs will often organize social events and fun excursions.

There are several websites listing the REU programs running each year. Be aware that these lists may not be complete and the programs listed might not necessarily take place every year!

• Math REU Programs
• NSF REU Sites
• AMS List of Math REU Programs

Most REU application deadlines are in February , but it’s important to start early and not wait until the last minute. Winter break is a good time to work on applications, but most applications should be up by November and it never hurts to start thinking about them earlier. You should ask for recommendation letters early (at least a month before the deadline) and order transcripts in advance, as it may take a while to process them.

• Personal information and CV: not all programs require a CV but it’s generally useful to have, especially if you’re applying to grad school
• Transcript (usually unofficial ones are ok): some programs also ask for a separate list of math classes you’ve taken (with grades and textbooks listed)
• Personal/research statement
• 1–3 letters of recommendation (usually 2): in my opinion this is the most important part of your application

Read the project descriptions carefully to see what kind of math is involved. Looking at projects from previous years is helpful, and it’s also useful to look into what kind of research the project leader does, as the REU project they supervise is often related to their own research. It’s important to be open-minded— don't limit yourself to topics and areas that fit your current interests . There is a huge amount of interesting math out there, and an REU provides a great opportunity to learn new things.

The mentor’s style is also an important factor to consider. Do you want someone more hands-on or do you want to be more independent? How often do you want to meet your mentor and the rest of your research group? Do you want a one-on-one experience or do you want to be in a larger group? Do you care if you’ll mostly be working with a grad student or with a professor?

• Some programs focus on an immersive learning experience, where you pick one topic and study it in depth. The level of the material and the extent to which you learn about it are both greater than what is covered during the ordinary school year.
• Some programs focus on original math research, which otherwise students typically don’t experience until after the first few years graduate school (unless you do a senior thesis or some other project). The REU mentor will often provide a lot of guidance, and it may be useful to see what research is like before applying to grad school.

There is no “better” type of program—it all depends on what you want. The two descriptions listed above are very broad generalizations that do not exhaustively describe all programs. If possible, look at the work that people from previous years have done—sometimes this is posted on the REU website, and sometimes past participants will post their work on the arXiv , which you can find by searching for their names.

Make sure you’re eligible before you apply! Many REUs will not accept international students due to funding restrictions, and some will take international students but ask them to find their own funding (for example through their home institution). It might still be worth applying since some programs do have the funding to admit some students who are not permanent US residents—just be honest about your status and see whether or not they are flexible.

It’s important that you meet the requirements for background knowledge. Some programs do not require any background, some explicitly state that they require a linear algebra and proof-based class, and some specifically target students who have not taken any upper-level math. Some programs have minimum GPA requirements. Some programs are only open to students enrolled at the home institution.

As you’ll be living here for several weeks over the summer, location can be an important factor—what is the weather like in the summer? How close is it to your home and/or home institution? How are you going to get here, and is transportation covered by the program? Are you interested in attending graduate school here?

Make sure you don’t have any conflicts with the start and ends dates of the program. Some REUs are more flexible about this than others, and it doesn’t hurt to ask.

REUs have stipends that vary depending on the program. Some cover housing and/or food costs, and some provide support for transportation to/from the program. Some programs that are not NSF-funded are able to provide financial support to international students.

Don’t worry if you don’t know all the specifics at the time you’re applying though—your goals and priorities might change between the time you apply and the time you have to accept an offer (usually around early March).

The application process is free, so don’t limit yourself to just a few programs. At the same time, applying is time-consuming and a lot of work, and it’s a bad idea to just blindly submit the same application to a bunch of different programs. I would recommend picking 1–2 top choices (it’s ok if you aren’t 100% set on one specific program when you submit your applications!) and applying to no more than 10 total (all of which you are genuinely interested in and really do want to attend). Make sure you carefully follow the instructions for the programs that you apply to.

REUs are extremely competitive, with hundreds of students applying for a very limited number of spots. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get into one your first try! These programs are very competitive, and this is by no means a comment that you’re somehow not “good enough”—there’s often a lot of luck involved, and sometimes there might be something specific that the coordinators are looking for. If you don’t get into an REU, you can ask a faculty member at your home institution if they would be willing to oversee a summer project or reading course with you. Keep in mind that REUs are not necessary for going to grad school or for doing math research in the future, and there are many other fulfilling activities that you can do over the summer.

This is the most important component of your application (in my opinion). Most REUs require 1–2 letters of recommendation, and some will require a letter from a previous REU advisor if you’ve participated in an REU before. It’s very important that you find someone who can write you a detailed and enthusiastic letter, and it’s useful to show them your application before they write the letter so they know how you’re presenting yourself. It is better to have a glowing letter from a less senior person who knows you well than it is to have a lukewarm letter from a famous person who doesn’t know you.

It’s ok to ask for letters from postdocs, but I would avoid asking graduate students for letters. Don’t ask for letters from people whose classes you didn’t excel in—you want someone who can speak positively about your mathematical ability and potential to do research!

Some potential letter-writers could include:

• Someone who you have directly done research with already, e.g. previous REU mentors or a faculty member at your institution with whom you did a project during the school year. This doesn’t have to be limited to math, for example if you’ve worked in a lab before a letter from the PI would make sense. According to a professor I talked to before writing this, “People want to see the ability and drive of the applicant. In some sense, math knowledge is not as important as these things.”
• Instructor of a math class who you directly interacted with and who remembers you, e.g. a class where you asked a lot of questions or went to office hours, someone who oversaw an independent reading course
• Other faculty members who you know and have interacted with, if they have something concrete to say.

Please request your letters at least a month in advance of the deadline—your letter writers are busy people! Make sure you have your documents prepared in advance, since, to repeat Ravi Vakil’s advice, it is in your interest to make your busy letter writer's job as easy as possible . It is also helpful if your letters mention what you are like as a person, since teamwork and collaboration are important parts of an REU and so coordinators may be less likely to choose someone who does not work well with others. ( Thanks for Colin Defant for this tip! )

If your letters haven’t been submitted close to the application deadline, send a friendly and polite reminder—it is your responsibility to remind your letter writers of the deadline. Be sure to thank your letter writers afterward, and keep them updated.

Links to other peoples’ advice about recommendation letters: Professor Ravi Vakil , Professor A.J. de Jong

• Why do you like math? Be specific about why you find it interesting and how you became interested in it. Citing specific examples (e.g. a class or a theorem) is better than something generic and broad like “math is beautiful”; presumably everyone else applying for the REU thinks so too.
• Why do you want to do research this summer? Don’t write a generic statement that doesn’t mention any of the specific projects and why you are interested in those projects in particular. It’s tempting to reuse the same statement for different programs, but you should make sure your statement for each program that you apply to includes specifics and makes it clear that you really do want to attend that particular REU.
• Talk about your previous research experience (if any)—what did you get out of the experience, what was the problem studied, what results did you get, and how did you go about solving the problem?
• Talk about why you are interested in the specific project or area of research that the REU is about. Try to be specific rather than generic. ( Thanks for Colin Defant for this tip! )
• Mention any previous coursework and independent reading you’ve done that directly relates to the research project. Again, specifics are good.
• If you’ve had previous experiences where you’ve worked with others on a research team, it’s good to mention this teamwork. Most REUs have students working together in groups with one another, so it’s important for the organizers that you be able to work the other participants.
• What are your plans after graduation? How will this REU contribute to them?
• This (and potentially letters) is the place on your application where you can explain poor grades if needed, but don’t spend too much space on it.
• Ask another person to proofread it!
• Mattie Ji, UMich 2023 [statement of interest]
• Anonymous student, UMich 2022 [cover letter]
• Anonymous student, [University of Maryland 2021 personal statement] , [DIMACS 2021 personal statement] , [UCLA CAM 2021 personal statement] , [UC Davis 2021 personal statement]
• Kenneth DeMason, UChicago 2019 [statement of interest]
• Ryan Alweiss, Duluth 2016 [personal statement]
• Sarah Fleming, Emory REU 2016 [cover letter] [research statement]
• Daniel Vitek, SMALL 2013 (knot theory) [academic summary] [personal statement] [research statement]

If you have a personal statement that you are willing to share and would like for it to be posted to help other future REU applicants, please email me at lenaji [at] umich [dot] edu. (These essays can also be anonymized and have identifying information removed.)

Many programs have agreed to the Common Reply Date agreement, which means that students accepted to these programs will not be required to accept or to decline an offer until a fixed date that’s the same for all REUs in the agreement (usually in early March). This means you have until this date to make a decision—it’s a bad idea to accept an offer and then back out later.

If you have questions about a program and you cannot find the answers on the website, it may be reasonable to email the program administrator about them, especially if you've been accepted to the REU. If you’re waiting to hear back from somewhere else before giving a program a response, let the program director know this! In some situations it’s also appropriate to ask for updates on the status of your application, for example if you have to respond to an offer from another program by a certain deadline. Also, don’t give up hope if you don’t hear back for a while—sometimes more offers will be sent out if the initial ones aren’t all accepted. On that note, if you’ve been admitted to an REU that you are certain you will not attend, you should decline it as soon as possible so that they can admit other applicants.

If you’re having difficulty deciding where to go, don’t hesitate to talk to people who’ve participated in the past or attend the institution where the program is hosted. Emailing is a good way to get specific information too—some people might ignore your email, but others may be happy to reply and share their experiences or link you to the project that they worked on.

Good luck with your applications!!

Haworth College of Business

Cover letters.

The cover letter is an important part of the first impression you create with a prospective employer. It should be unique for each employer and align your skills and experience with the internship or job description. For feedback on your cover letter, visit the Career Center during drop-in hours or schedule an appointment with a career development specialist.

Cover Letter Guidelines — will help you write and organize a cover letter

Cover letter examples

Sample cover letter #1

Sample cover letter #2

Sample cover letter #3

Sample cover letter #4

Medical Laboratory Scientist

How to apply.

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
•  Retirement Savings Opportunities

Responsibilities*

The Medical Technologist performs a variety of routine or specialized tests and procedures for use by physicians in diagnosis and treatment of patients in Molecular Diagnostics.

Regular duties include:

• Perform duties inclusive of an LT (Laboratory Technician)
• Perform high complexity testing without direct supervision
• Process incoming samples by ensuring correct labeling, computer log-in, centrifugation, aliquoting, and storage
• Perform and record routine instrument maintenance procedures.
• Analyze and record quality control materials with documentation of action on out-of-range values
• Accurately analyze patient specimens on instruments and/or by specified manual methodologies within specified turnaround times
• Recognize critical, abnormal and unacceptable test results and follow-up according to established protocols.
• Identify problems with instrumentation, methodology, specimens, supplies, or results and take action as outlined in predetermined protocols.
• Monitor instrument error codes, troubleshoot and correct problems as necessary
• Accurately transcribe patient data from instrument printouts or worksheets into computer record including any pertinent sample description comments
• Perform analysis on data output from instruments, and create preliminary reports
• Maintain a safe work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.
• Instruct, train, and observe medical technology students, new employees, and pathology residents in bench procedures and theory
• Fulfill departmental continuing Ed requirement

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform clinical tests in the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.
• Methods include DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, Real-time PCR, capillary electrophoresis, sanger sequencing, methylation array, and next generation sequencing.
• Consult with physicians on test requests and results.
• Assist in instruction of residents and students.
• Perform QC on equipment and reagents.
• Participate in laboratory continuing education lectures and meetings

Required Qualifications*

In order to be considered for this position the applicant must have met or will have met all the required qualifications prior to the start date of employment.

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or biological science is required.
• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist or eligibility for certification at the time of hire is required.
• Specialized laboratories may accept a Bachelor's degree in a biological science with certification eligibility specific to that laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Works with infectious disease and/or hazardous materials.
• May have exposure to noise from laboratory equipment and pneumatic tube system.
• Requires frequent (standing/walking/sitting/hand pipetting) for long periods of time and the ability to lift up to 30lbs.

Desired Qualifications*

Previous experience in a clinical laboratory is desired.

Work Schedule

This full time, 40 hour position is on the evening shift, M-F 11:00 am to 7:30 pm and will require rotating weekends, holidays and on-call with other team members. 

Work Locations

This position will physically be located at the North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor.

Additional Information

A $3000.00 signing bonus is available.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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Career Kickoff

Cover Letter Guide - Alumni Association

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In this guide created by the University of Michigan Alumni Association, learn how to structure your cover letter and best practices for doing so.

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International Student Resources Toolkit

A welcome to michigan from the ucc.

The UM University Career Center (UCC) provides various types of services to support career exploration, job and internship searching and continuing education for both undergraduate and graduate students.  Below are miscellaneous resources to assist international students with their next steps.

Table of Contents:

U.S. Job/Internship Preparation & Search

• Global Job/Internship Search

Graduate & Professional School

Adjusting to u.s. language & culture.

• If you have any questions about your student visa and work authorization, please visit the UM International Center .

Quick Links

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University of Michigan/UCC Resources

• UCC General Resume Resources
• Instant Resume Feedback with  VMOCK  and  Targeted Resume
• Incorporating Job Descriptions Into Your Resume
• Resume Guidelines for International Students

Additional External Resources

• ResyMatch.io  (Scans and compares your resume to your target job description--see  video tutorial )
• ResyBullet.io  (Evaluates your resume bullet/s based on an "ideal bullet formula"--see  video tutorial )
• First-Time Resume Writing Tips for International Students
• Becoming Familiar with U.S. Style Resume
• 185 Super Effective Resume Verbs
• Here’s What You Should—and Shouldn’t—Capitalize on Your Resume
• Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the Automated System and Into Human Hands
• 8 Things You Need To Know About Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
• 20 ATS-Friendly Resume Templates

Cover Letters

• UCC General Cover Letter Resources
• Lettersmith:  A nifty writing tool to build your network and apply for jobs
• Cover Letter Guidelines for International Students
• 7 Tips for Writing a Cover Letter with No Experience
• 3 Keys to Writing Cover Letters That Stand Out
• How to Write a Cover Letter: The All-Time Best Tips
• 30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE
• UCC General Networking Resources
• UCAN, UM University Career Alumni Network
• Finding the Hiring Manager on LinkedIn
• How to Form Relationships
• How to Use LinkedIn’s Alumni Tool for Networking
• How to Write a Networking Email
• 4 Types of Networking Emails—and How to Write Them
• 4 Tips for Building Relationships Through Informational Interviews
• What to Do at a Career Fair
• How to Stand Out at Virtual Career Fairs
• Questions International Students Should (and Should Not) Ask at Career Fairs
• Networking Tips for International Students
• Networking as an International Student 
• 5 Networking Tips for International Students
• 5 Steps to a Successful Informational Interview
• 12 Do’s and Don’ts When You Network as an International Student
• Network as an International Student to Land Your Dream Career Pathway
• UCC General Interview Resources
• Big Interview  for efficient, self-directed practice.  Log in with your umich credentials and create a basic profile as a "Student".  Click on Practice-->Practice Interviews-->Choose appropriate Industry or Competency/Skillset
• U.S. vs. International Interviews
• Interview Tips for International Students
• 4 Steps for International Students to Excel at U.S. Interviews
• How to Pitch Your Value in Interviews
• How, Why, And When To Share Your Immigration Status On Job Interviews
• Job Interview Tips for International Students (ICAway podcast)
• How to Prepare for a Job Interview So You’ll Convince Them You’re the Right Hire
• 13 Questions Hiring Managers Love to Ask in Phone Interviews
• How To Answer Common Interview Questions
• The STAR Method: The Secret to Acing Your Next Job Interview
• Your Ultimate Guide to Answering the Most Common Interview Questions
• Called Back for a Second Interview? Prepare to Answer These 10 Questions
• Do’s and Don’ts of Virtual Interviewing
• 8 COVID-Related Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer During—and After—the Pandemic
• 57 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview in 2022

Volunteering & Internships

• Employment vs. Volunteering
• Try Volunteering to Build Job Skills as an International Student
• 4 Ways International Students Can Gain U.S. Work Experience with F-1 Visas
• 4 Internship Tips for International Students in the U.S. 
• 6 Internship Tips for International Students 

*************JOB SEARCH RESOURCES DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC*************

• 9 Job Search Tips for International Students in the Age of Coronavirus
• What Does the Coronavirus Pandemic Mean for Your Job Search?
• 3 Essential Job-Search Strategies for International Students in 2021
• Companies Are Still Hiring During COVID-19
• Canadian COVID19 List of Hiring Companies
• Coronavirus & the Job Search
• How to Boost Your Career While You Shelter in Place
• 5 Genuinely Productive Things to Do in Quarantine
• 6 Tips for Successful Virtual Networking, Even During the Pandemic
• Interviewing in the Time of Coronavirus
• 10 Remote Job Interview Questions You’ve Got to Be Ready to Answer
• Yes, You Can Still Learn About Company Culture When Interviewing Remotely—Here’s How
• ICAway 2020 Webinar Recording COVID-19's Impact on Job Searches
• Covid-19 Job Market Insights & Job Search Strategies from Experts
• Coronavirus Update: Industry Fast Facts
• 12 Companies You Should Definitely Keep Your Eye On
• Vault Offers Career Guides to In-Demand Professions & Industries During COVID-19
• Candor: Companies Freezing Hiring and Still Hiring
• LinkedIn: Who’s Hiring Right Now
• USA Today: Companies Mass Hiring During Coronavirus Pandemic
• ICAway Podcast:  How I landed a job in the coronavirus era
• Job Scams Are on the Rise—Here’s How to Spot Them and Steer Clear

U.S. Job Search

Handshake Interstride

• Career Readiness Competencies that U.S. employers value
• IC:  Work Authorization Winter 2022 (slides)
• UCC:  Putting Together an Effective U.S. Job Search Winter 2022 (handout)  (need umich sign on to access)
• Presentation recording Winter 2022
• Career Advice for International Students Seeking Employment in the U.S. by Niandong Wang & Serena Wang
• Are You Career Ready?
• Spreadsheet to Track Everything in Your Job Search

• The 31 Best LinkedIn Tips to Make Your Profile Shine
• Why don’t companies sponsor H-1B visas for international students?
• U.S. Employer’s Guide to Hiring International Students by Interstride
• Professionalism in the U.S. Job/Internship Search
• How to land a job in the U.S. (as a foreigner) in 2022
• How to Scrub and Build Your Social Presence Before Searching for a Job
• Job Search Tips for New International Students
• WEBINAR: Career Brand Building for International Students
• 10 Job Search Tips for International Students This Summer 
• 9 Ways International Students Can Build Job-Search Muscle This Fall
• MyVisaJobs  with listings by work authorization type and field
• 4 Salary Negotiation Tips (Including Sample Scripts)
• How to Negotiate Salary: 37 Tips You Need to Know
• ICAway Podcast:  How to Get Hired as a Young Talent
• ICAWAY webinars recordings
• Here Are 15 Possible Reasons You’re Not Getting Hired—and How to Fix Them

Global Job/Internship Search

• Pursuing A Career Abroad:  Where to Start (March 1, 2021 program's recording)
• Career Exploration Abroad post-OPT (March 24, 2021 program's recording)
• Understanding the Netherland’s Orientation Year Visa (April 6, 2021 program's recording)
• Global Careers in the Netherlands: Understanding the Orientation Year Visa, Relocation & Job Market (October 20, 2021 recording)    
• GoinGlobal  provides career guides and postings based on countries and cities. Sign up for a training session on how to make the most of this resource.
• How To Write A Resume That Crosses Borders
• International Curriculum Vitae Example and Writing Tips 
• How are Resumes different from CVs?
• Akadeus provides current job openings at Business and Management Schools across the globe
• AmCham China  facilitates connections between Chinese employers and Chinese students studying in the U.S. through their Jobs Market platform
• CareerJet  provides job listings from ~50 countries, featuring separate interfaces that are translated into 20 languages
• Career Forum  features job fairs for Japanese-English bilinguals
• Computeroxy.com  includes academic and research job vacancies in schools of computer, electrical and mathematical sciences and engineering in the U.S. but especially around the world
• Contact TAIWAN  is designed to engage overseas Chinese individuals to work in Taiwan
• Global University China Career Union (GUCCU)  provides Chinese students studying overseas with the tools and resources needed to prepare for the Chinese job market after graduation
• UNjobs  lists vacancies with the United Nations and intergovernmental organizations 
• Indeed Worldwide  a job search engine for opportunities in Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia 
• Recruit.net  an international, multilingual job search engine mainly covering China, Japan, India, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong
• iHipo.com  international jobs, internships, and graduate school search engine for students and young professionals by country or region
• Jooble.org  is a job search engine that searches jobs in 40+ countries
• HRDC Job Bank  connects job seekers to Canadian job openings
• Monster International  connects Monster.com users to 51 affiliated job sites in 44 countries
• Joblift  delivers the best job search results from multiple job sites in the UK
• Seek.com includes job listings in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Asian executive jobs, job search and career tools, and volunteer opportunities

Preparing for Graduate & Professional School 

• UCC General Resources on Preparing for Graduate and Professional School
• GradSchools.com : Graduate school directory
• See in particular  Study Guide by Subject for more detailed information depending on your interests
• U.S. Graduate School Help for International Students 
• How Grad School Officials Evaluate International Applicants
• Graduate School Admission Tests --Check out information about GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, DAT and OAT

Financing Graduate & Professional School

• 10 Ways International Students Can pay for Grad School
• International Student Loans for Graduate Students 

Law School Resources

• UCC General Pre-Law Resources
• An International Student's Guide to Applying to U.S. Law Schools
• 3 Tips for Applying to Law School as an International Student 
• Applying to U.S. Law Schools as an International Student

Medical School & Other Health Professions Resources

• UCC General Pre-Health Resources
• Health, Science & Research Summer Programs Open to International Students
• F-1 Doctors
• Applying to Medical School as an International Applicant
• U.S. & Canadian Allopathic Medical Schools Accepting Applications from International Students
• International Students and DO Medical Schools
• U.S. Medical Schools that Accept Canadian Students
• International Friendly Medical Schools & Funding for International Students 
• How International Premeds Can Find a Med School
• MD Program for International Students @ George Washington 
• International Medical Graduate Toolkit
• ADEA Dental School Explorer searchable database will help prospective applicants identify dental schools open to consider international students.  Fees will apply for a one-year subscription.

Physical Therapy

• Within the  PTCAS Program Directory , each program provides information specifically for international applicants, including:  citizenship types eligible for admission; TOEFL requirements; and policy on foreign coursework.

Physician Assistant

• Non official list of PA schools accepting international students

Links to external resources are included due to their potential interest to students. Inclusion of a resource does not imply University Career Center or University endorsement of the particular organization, opportunity, or resource described.  Descriptions of a resource are taken from the external site and the University is not responsible for the content.

What Foreigners Need to Know About America From A to Z: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More    by Lance Johnson  

Writing Support, Conversation and Listening Skills

• UM Writing Support and Courses for Undergraduate Students
• Undergraduate Speaking and Writing Studio  (for academic and professional purposes)
• UM Writing Support and Courses for Graduate Students
• UM Conversation Circles
• Live Online English Classes with Michigan Language Center (pronunciation, presentation skills, business English...) 
• Watch news reports from  Voice of America’s Learning English  and their  YouTube page
• Rachel’s English  for pronouncing difficult sounds in American English
• TED Talks --See how English phrases are used through this  searchable collection of thousands of TED Talks
• Short audio reports and commentaries (with transcripts!) via  Scientific American
• Write Better Emails:  5 Copy-and-Paste Calls to Action You Can (and Should) Use in Your Emails
• How to Write Professional Emails That Get the Results You Want

Understanding Culture in the Classroom & Beyond

• How International Students Can Adjust to U.S. College Classes
• Formal Classroom Culture & Informal Classroom Culture
• I felt lost in a new academic culture. Then I learned about the hidden curriculum
• How to Get Better at Reading People from Different Cultures
• What Even Is Business Casual?
• Values in American Culture
• How to navigate your way through American workplace culture

Improving Business English

• 5 Daily Ways to Improve Your Business English with Resources You Already Have
• 10 Ways to Improve Your Business English Through Listening Practice
• How to Improve Your Business English
• How to Be Small Talk Savvy During the Job Search
• Mastering the American Accent with Downloadable Audio
• 5 Business Writing Skills Every Job Applicant Should Master

Co-Curricular Engagement   Co-curricular activities are an  essential part of the U.S. college experience in that they provide students a break from studying while pursuing individual interests and developing important life and career skills such as teamwork, leadership, project management, and more.

• Join and be an active member of one or more UM student organizations

• Undergraduate Students
• Master’s Students
• Phd and Postdoctoral Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Parents and Families
• Agriculture and Environment
• Art, Communication and Entertainment
• Business and Management
• Education and Public Services
• Health Sciences
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
• Social and Cultural Studies
• International Students
• LGBTQA+ Students
• Student-Athletes
• Students of Color
• Students with Disabilities
• Student Veterans
• Create a Career Plan
• Connect Majors and Careers
• Explore Careers and Industries
• Gain Experience
• Write a Resume or Cover Letter
• Find Jobs or Internships
• Network and Connect
• Prepare for Interviews
• Visit the Career Closet
• Research Salaries and Negotiate Offers
• Explore Graduate School
• Career Readiness Competencies
• Bachelor’s Degrees
• Master’s Degrees
• Career Fairs
• Career Events
• For Employers
• Our Services
• Leadership Team
• Employer Relations Team
• Career Advisors
• Career Peer Advising Team
• Appointments
• MSU Connect
• Report Post-Graduation Outcomes
• Report Internships

Writing Resumes and Cover Letters | CSN Summer Series

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Writing professional documents can feel overwhelming. Let the Career Services Network help you share your professional story in this workshop focused on writing and formatting your resume and cover letter.

Join Zoom Meeting Zoom: Visit Handshake to RSVP and receive Zoom link. passcode: resume

As a result of this session, students will be able to: – Describe the purpose and goal of a resume and the basic content areas to include – Identify formatting options to make their resume clear, concise, and well-organized in order to be easily scanned by screen readers and applicant tracking systems – Implement strategies for tailoring their resume to align with a job description – Understand and apply the WHO method to communicate skills, qualifications, and outcomes through bullet point statements – Identify interests, skills, and experiences that best illustrate their connections to the job description and organization – Describe the format of a typical business letter to be utilized in a cover letter

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