How can you get your job or internship application to stand out from the pack? The answer is straightforward: make sure that your resume shows that you are a perfect fit for the job.

Crafting a Winning Resume

Employers spend an average of just 5-7 seconds looking at resumes skimming a resume before making a decision. While a highly stylized template might look great to the human eye, it can actually prevent you from landing an interview if it isn't readable by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). 

To help you pass the digital screening and stand out to recruiters, we have provided tailored templates for UMD ECON students:

Check out the video below for a quick walkthrough of our template, or read on to learn formatting tips that will help you craft a compelling application for your next internship or job.

 

 

Top Resume Tips

  1. Highlight Achievements, Not Duties
    Showcase specific, detailed accomplishments and outcomes instead of listing job responsibilities.
  2. Use Strong Action Verbs
    Start each bullet point with powerful action verbs to make your experience pop.
  3. Quantify Your Success
    Whenever possible, use numbers to demonstrate your achievements.
  4. Be Concise
    Transform full sentences into succinct phrases for clarity and impact.
  5. Tailor to the Job
    Customize your resume for each position, focusing on what the employer is seeking. Highlight keywords from the job description and incorporate them into your resume. For example, for this research assistant role, use terms like “international trade and finance,” “qualitative and quantitative research,” and “data visualization.”
  6. One Idea Per Bullet
    Keep each bullet point focused on a single idea.
  7. Consistent Formatting
    Maintain uniformity in formatting and punctuation to ensure a polished look.

Using AI to Write Strong Resume Bullet Points

AI tools can be powerful allies in crafting compelling resumes when used skillfully. However, using AI to write your entire resume from scratch or solely based on a job description can result in generic, inaccurate, or even misleading content that hurts your chances for an interview.

Instead, use AI to help you refine and strengthen your resume bullet points based on your real experiences. Follow the steps below to get personalized, impactful, and job-specific results:

  1. Start with the Basics: Format your resume using the ECON Resume Template to ensure a clean and professional structure.

  2. Analyze the Job Description: Paste the job description into an AI tool and ask it, “What are the key skills and qualifications this job is looking for?” This helps you identify what matters most to employers.

  3.  Match Your Experience to Their Needs: For each top skill or qualification identified, think of a specific project, responsibility, or accomplishment that shows you have that strength.

  4. Use the SOAR Method to Organize Your Thoughts: For each example, write down responses to the following:

    • Situation: What was going on? What were you trying to achieve? Include quantifiable context if possible.

    • Obstacles: What challenges did you face (if any)?

    • Actions: What did you do? Highlight skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, or attention to detail.

    • Results: What happened as a result of your actions? Quantify impact when possible.

  5. ​​​Ask AI for Bullet Points: Paste your SOAR notes into an AI platform and ask, “Can you turn this into resume bullet points tailored to above Job Description?”

  6. Edit and Finalize: Review the AI-generated bullet points. Keep only what is accurate and impressive. Make sure each bullet is:

    • No more than three lines long

    • Specific to your experience

    • Relevant to the job description

    • Quantified when possible

Remember: AI is a writing assistant, not a substitute for your knowledge and insights. The more detail you give it, the better the results will be.

 

 

Do you need more personalized advice? Schedule time with a career advisor.