Put Your Best Foot Forward

Your resume is essentially a marketing piece. Its purpose is to quickly communicate your qualifications to a potential employer, so it should be organized, clear, concise, and relevant. You may have different versions of your resume depending on what you are seeking.

If you need help creating or reviewing a resume, please request an appointment in CyHire.

Sample Resumes

There are various ways to create resumes based on your preference and industry. The examples below are provided as guidelines and represent industry-specific content employers seek on resumes. If this is your first time creating a resume, please see our beginner resume sample. If you have studied abroad, download this handout for information on highlighting this experience on your resume. Always consider working with Career Services to create the best resume for you.

Action verbs for your resume

Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management

Apparel, merchandising, and design
Event management
Hospitality management

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Culinary food science
Dietetics (pre-internship)
Dietetics (post-internship)
Food science

Human Development and Family Studies

Child, adult, and family services
Financial counseling and planning

Kinesiology and Health

Athletic training
Kinesiology

School of Education

Early childhood education (student teaching complete)
Education (one page)
Education (two pages – student teaching complete)
Higher education

Creative Resumes

We understand some students would like a resume with a more creative look based on your interests and the types of positions of interest to you. In order to display creativity on a resume, we suggest you also keep in mind the readability, colors used, and use of space on the page. There are many examples available online. This is one example that you could use to get started.

References

A reference page allows you to provide a list of contacts who can validate the information on your resume and speak to your quality of work. References should be individuals who are familiar with your applicable skills and will provide you a positive recommendation. Be sure to ask permission before you provide contact information to anyone and supply your reference with a copy of your resume.

References may include:

  • Former and current supervisors/managers
  • Co-workers
  • Professors/academic advisers
  • Student organization advisers
  • Coaches
  • Mentors
  • Contacts from professional organizations
  • Contacts from volunteer/community activities
  • Customers/clients

Sample reference page

Other Communication Samples

Formatting letters and designing page layout is a matter of personal preference and should be appropriate for your major and audience. Your letter, resume, and reference page should be designed as a total package with consistency of style, font, color, paper and layout. 

The samples below should be used to gain ideas for the framework and content of your letter. Letters must be personalized for each employer and reflect your objective, personality, and qualifications. Always have at least one person proofread your letter.

Personal Statements

Your personal statement is your introduction to a university admission committee. The purpose of the personal statement is to expand on your career accomplishments and future aspirations. Be aware of specific prompts and requirements from admission committees when getting started on your personal statement. Ask at least two of your advisers/instructors to read your first draft and offer feedback. The Writing and Media Center also offers appointments to assist with personal statements.

Use the resources below to get started, organize your thoughts, and create a draft for review.

Teaching Philosophies

Your teaching philosophy should reflect your personal values and beliefs about teaching. The samples below should be used as an example only. Request feedback on your philosophy from an adviser/instructor within your major, in addition to career services.

Need More Information?

Human Sciences Career Services

131 MacKay Hall
2302 Osborn Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011-1078

515-294-0626

hscareers@iastate.edu