Graduate Career Guide: CV, Resume, Cover Letter, and Research Statement Writing
Graduate education provides you with advanced knowledge, research expertise, and professional skills. This guide is designed to help you translate those experiences into strong application materials for both academic and non-academic career paths.
The purpose of this guide is to help graduate students develop strong, professional application materials that reflect their skills, experiences, and goals. Whether you are preparing a CV for an academic position, tailoring a resume for an industry job, or writing a compelling cover letter, this guide provides strategies, examples, and practical tips to support your career journey.
Audience
This guide is designed for master’s and PhD students at all stages of graduate study. It supports students who are:
- Exploring career pathways and considering both academic and non-academic options
- Actively applying for jobs, internships, fellowships, or postdoctoral opportunities
- Seeking to translate their advanced training into meaningful career directions
How to Use this Guide
You can read this guide from beginning to end for a comprehensive overview or consult individual sections as you need them. For example:
- If you are preparing for faculty or research roles, see the section on CV writing.
- If you are targeting industry, nonprofit, or government positions, focus on the section on resumes.
- If you want to strengthen your job applications overall, review the guidance on cover letters and transferable skills.
This guide is most effective when used alongside one-to-one career coaching, workshops, and feedback from peers or mentors. Use it as a practical starting point and a reference throughout your career development process.