Welcome to the UMSI Career Development Resource Hub

Craft a Resume that Tells Your Story

Your resume is often your first impression—an opportunity to highlight your unique strengths, skills, and experiences to potential employers. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to polish an existing resume, these resources are here to help you every step of the way.

UMSI students are in high demand, and a clear, well-organized resume will help you stand out among applicants. On this page, you'll find practical tips, templates, and guides—all tailored to the needs of School of Information students and aligned with employer expectations.

Need feedback? You can always meet with a CDO Career Coach to review your materials.

Resume Writing Made Easy: Steps to Success

1. Download a UMSI-Approved Template: Start with a format that works—no need to design from scratch.
2. Gather Your Experiences: List jobs, internships, volunteer roles, coursework, and projects most relevant to your goals.
3. Write Impactful Bullets: Use action verbs and highlight your skills, results, and unique contributions.
4. Tailor for Each Opportunity: Customize your resume for every job or internship you pursue.
5. Review and Edit: Proofread for errors, check formatting, and ask for feedback from peers or a career coach.

Resume Resources

• UMSI Resume Guide and Rubric
  Comprehensive UMSI guide including tips, formatting rules, and sample accomplishments.
• Writing Effective Resume Bullets
  Learn how to describe your work and impact in ways employers notice.
• Resume Rubric
  Evaluate your resume using the same criteria as UMSI’s Career Development Office.
• Application Materials: Workshops and More
  Attend a Resume Refresh workshop, review video tutorials, or access additional templates.

Ready for review? Book a resume review appointment with a CDO Career Coach.

Other Resources

Other than resume, you may also want to check out the following resources to help with your job/internship search:

• Cover Letter Guide
  Please plan to reference this guide as a resource for writing cover letters throughout your time at UMSI. This guide includes descriptions of cover letter best practices based on employer feedback, actual examples of former UMSI student cover letters, and additional tips for success. Use these tips to guide you as you compose a cover letter that effectively highlights your experiences and demonstrates to potential employers that you would be successful in the role.
• Portfolio Resources
  This guide is designed to serve as a valuable resource throughout your journey in the User Experience (UX) field and/ or other related fields. It provides an overview of best practices for building and refining your UX portfolio, including examples of successful portfolios, tips for creating impactful case studies, and insights into how to effectively showcase your skills. Refer to this guide as you develop and update your portfolio to ensure it effectively represents your abilities and experiences.

Resume FAQ

• How long should my resume be?
  For most UMSI students and new grads, one page is best. More experienced professionals may require two pages.
• Do I need a different resume for each application?
  It's wise to tailor your resume to the requirements and keywords of each opportunity.
• Is it okay to include coursework or student projects?
  Absolutely! UMSI coursework and projects are valued by employers, especially if they show relevant skills and impact.
• How often should I update my resume?
  Update your resume every semester, after major projects, or whenever you gain a new role or responsibility.

How to incorporate job descriptions into your resume