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What Makes a Winning Resume

Philip D. Adams
By Philip D. Adams

A successful job search begins with a strong resume—the written summary of your qualifications and previous work experience used for future employment opportunities. Along with a cover letter, your resume is often an employer’s first encounter with you as a jobseeker. In our Career Connection blog, UMGC experts share their tips for creating a strong first impression with effective resumes and cover letters.

Resume Writing Strategies for Career Changes

One of the keys to successfully navigating a career change is crafting a compelling resume. UMGC can help you write a resume that focuses on your strengths and transferable skills and shows employers that you're a valuable candidate, even if you don't yet have specific experience in their field. Discover key strategies to help you optimize your resume toward entering the career you want. 

Tips for Writing Cover Letters

Whether you are submitting your resume, approaching an employer for job consideration, or contacting a third party for networking purposes, it is customary to send a letter of introduction known as a cover letter. In this age of hastily scribbled emails, emoji-filled texts, and simple “liked” replies, the art of composing career-relevant and compelling cover letters is often lost. 

Get tips on composing an engaging cover letter that boosts your resume, sets you apart from the crowd, and helps you make that all-important first impression a good one. 

How to Write a Job-Winning Resume

A well-crafted resume tells the story of your career in a way that explains why you are the right candidate for the job. Read about ways you can tailor your resume to target the industry of your choice and the specific job posting you are applying for. Learn the secrets of formatting your resume correctly, marketing your experience, using keywords, and more. 

How to Highlight Your Academic Accomplishments on Your Resume

Today, the average job listing gets more than 250 applications. That’s hard to contend with, even if you’re a seasoned professional. But when you’re a student or recent graduate with little to no experience behind you, it can feel even more daunting. So, how are you supposed to compete with so many other jobseekers? In this step-by-step guide, you can learn how to effectively highlight your accomplishments as a student and showcase your skills on your resume. 

Are Shorter Resumes Stronger?

Ideally, your resume should be as short as possible while still including all your relevant skills, education, and work experience, along with any certifications, awards, and relevant activities. With so much information to highlight, it can be difficult to know what to include—and exclude. Get five great tips for keeping your resume short and strong.

Building a Tech Resume

When looking to fill technical roles within a company, hiring managers and recruiters often look for candidates who possess the specific technical skills required to be successful on their first day. Creating a strong technical resume can make a big difference when applying for tech jobs. Learn what the components of an effective technical resume are, what you need to include, and what to avoid to help your technical skills shine.

Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party. 

Learn More About Lifetime Career Services at UMGC

UMGC offers a full suite of career services to students and alumni at no cost. UMGC admissions advisors can answer your questions and help you get started on your educational goals.