Individuality is key when wanting to stand out in the workforce.

Prospective employers often look for qualities in resumes that show how applicants are different from the rest.

Employers may often get resumes that look the same, read the same and are difficult to pick from.

Robert Unseld, Jr., associate director of the Career Services Center, said it’s important to make yourself stand out and tailor a resume to the job you’re applying for.

Below are a few recommendations.

BUSINESS

 Research the position as thoroughly as possible. The more you know about the company and the position, the more you can make your resume a fit for the position.

 Match your strengths to the job qualifications.

 List any courses you’ve taken that are relevant.

 Stress previous work experience relevant to the position.

 Find out who in the firm will be making the hiring decision and address your resume to them. Send another copy to the person who will be the initial point of contact.

 Find a “champion” in the firm. This is someone within who knows you and will be an advocate for you in the hiring process.

Information from Rick Shannon, chairman of the marketing department.

JOURNALISM

 The most important thing is your cover letter. It’s the first thing editors look at, and it gives some sense of how good of a writer you really are.

 Show who you are, don’t tell.

 Begin your cover letter with an anecdote that shows who you are as a journalist/copy editor/ photographer and as a person.

 The goal is to make the editor remember you in a positive way.

 Put experience on your resume before education.

 If you are light on experience (through student publications or internships), show what you’ve learned about dealing with people through other jobs, such as retail and waiting tables.

 Use AP style.

 Don’t put high school journalistic experience on your resume, it only reminds the employer how young you are.

Information from Harry Allen, associate journalism professor.

SCIENCES

 The most important thing is to list works published; it should be any publication in peer-revised journals

 The second most important thing is to list participation at scientific meetings and if the applicant gave a presentation at a meeting. Presenting at professional meetings shows that students know what they are doing and are reliable.

 The third most important thing is to show some type of hands-on experience. It shows that a student is capable of helping with research.

 Any grants, prizes or fellowships should be listed.

 Membership in organizations that aren’t science-related is not always important.

 Have at least three letters of recommendation.

Information from Jose Pedro Do Amaral, biology instructor

FAMILY AND CHILD STUDIES

 Never use colored paper. It doesn’t look as professional.

 Include the category human service experience. It should illustrate volunteer experience and work with nonprofit organizations.

 Illustrate community work with families or children.

 Include at least one internship – all the responsibilities of the internship should be included to show experience.

 The cover letter should have a more in-depth description about human services experience and passion for working with families and children.

 If any major service learning project or program was done in class, it should be included under human services experience.

 Format is vital. Make it look professional.

Information from Rachel Neal, assistant professor of consumer and family sciences