Your cover letter and resume are your first (and sometimes your only) opportunities to make a good impression on a potential internship host or employer.
When crafting your resume and cover letter, keep in mind that employers aren’t just looking at your technical ability, but also value soft skills – character traits and qualities that may not be tangible, but are just as important to organizations and hiring managers.
According to NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), here are the top 10 attributes that employers say they are seeking in potential candidates:
- Ability to problem-solve
- Ability to work in a team
- Written communication skills
- Leadership
- Strong work ethic
- Analytical/quantitative skills
- Verbal communication skills
- Initiative
- Detail-oriented
- Flexibility/adaptability
Resume Development
High Point University has provided resume building tools for your convenience. Please use the links provided to access our:
Sample Resumes
- Limited Experience Resume
- Intermediate Experience Resume
- Significant Experience Resume
- Resume Template for BUA 2990, Business Communication Course
- Additional Resume Tips for BUA 2990, Business Communications Course
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
When applying to graduate schools or certain full-time jobs, using a curriculum vitae may be more appropriate than a resume. Please use the links provided to access our:
Handshake Resumes
For instructions on uploading, editing, and deleting documents in Handshake, please view our instructions here.
Cover Letter Development
Always include a cover letter with your resume. Your cover letter is your introduction. It tells the employer why you are sending your application materials and why you would make a great “fit” for their company. Please use the links provided to access our:
Resumes for Creative Careers
If design or artistic skills are needed for the position in which you are applying —perhaps a more creative resume is more appropriate for you. Conversely, if the role that you are applying for is of a more analytical or scientific nature, stick with a traditional resume format and layout.
Creative resumes are intended to represent your professional and creative self. While they should be unique to you, your experiences, and your industry—they should follow the same standards as a traditional resume:
- Limit to 1 page
- Demonstrate consistency in the formatting of font style, font size, spacing, and order of content
- Exhibit a professional layout that is simplistic, clean, organized
- Feature descriptive bullet points starting with proper verb tenses
- Be targeted and revised for each job/internship description
Creative resumes can be made with all types of platforms (Word, Canva, Adobe, Photoshop, PowerPoint, etc.). Find the platform that works best for you and your skill level. No matter which platform you choose, remember:
- Use gender neutral colors
- Only Theatre and Music majors/minors should include a head shot
- Include links to your online portfolio, LinkedIn, or professional social media pages
- Save your resume as a PDF before emailing or uploading to preserve the formatting
Remember, this will serve as your first example of your design skills. Your resume should be free of errors and grammatically correct.
- Creative Resume Example (do not copy this resume format–create your own!)