Resumes, CVs & Cover Letters

Externship, internship and job inquiries and applications typically require you to submit a resume or CV (curriculum vitae) to the employer or organization of interest.

In most cases, the application instructions for the position you are applying to will specify whether a CV or resume is being requested. If this information is not provided, you will need to determine which of them most appropriately fits the criteria provided by the employer or internship committee who will be reviewing your application.

Please note that employers sometimes confuse the terms and use them interchangeably. So, if you are in doubt—the general rule of thumb is that if you are applying for a veterinary associate position you should submit a resume; if you are applying for an externship, internship or a position in academia (research or clinical) you should submit a CV.

Writing a Resume

A resume is a targeted list of professional experiences that focuses on skills and accomplishments directly relevant to the job you are applying for. it is a document that seeks to:

• construct a professional image and establish credibility
• convince a prospective employer to grant you an interview
• persuade your reader that you are the best person for the job

Sections of a Resume

Contact Information

• Name
• Address
• Telephone Number and
• Email Address

Objective

It is not essential that you include an objective statement but if you do, it needs to be concise and specific. The objective should contain short-term (immediate) and long term (ultimate) career goals

• In reverse chronological order, the name and location of the university or college you were enrolled in
• The degree earned and the actual, anticipated date of graduation
• Major, minor, concentration
• Relevant honors (e.g. Magna cum Laude, Summa cum Laude). Do not list Dean's list or other awards here
• If you completed a thesis or dissertation as part of your Masters or PhD, include your thesis/dissertation title here
• Don't include GPA information here

Experience

• In reverse chronological order, present your experiences relevant to the position you are applying for. Include:
• Name of practice/organization
• Your working title there
• Location of practice (including city, state and country if not in the US)
• Dates of employment
• Responsibilities in the position- In describing your responsibilities phrase your responsibilities to convey transferable skills, accomplishments and effectiveness
• Note: Depending upon the position you are applying for you may have more than one experience sections. Veterinary resumes typically have any combination of the following Experience sections
  • Animal and Veterinary Experience (general)
  • Equine Related Experience
  • Farm Animal Experience
  • Zoo and Wildlife Experience
  • Research Experience
  • Teaching Experience
  • Volunteer and Community Outreach Experience
  • Other Work Experience

  Honors and Awards (optional)

  Name of scholarships, honors, date(s) awarded and

  Leadership and Professional Affiliations(Optional)

  List organization, position held and dates of participation. If describing a leadership role include responsibilities that convey leadership.

  Extracurricular Activities (optional)

  These sections can be customized depending upon your experiences

  Special Skills or Certifications (optional)

  List any certifications or skills other than those already included in the Education and Education sections that may be relevant to the position you are applying for. Examples include proficiency in a foreign language, specific computer skills that may be especially relevant to the position of interest, certifications such as acupuncture etc.

  Writing a CV

  A CV is a comprehensive record of your professional history including your academic credentials, clinical, research and teaching experiences and accomplishments and all scholarly activities. It is used by veterinary students when they are applying for externships, internships or residencies or for positions in academia. Research fellowships or scholarship applications also frequently require CVs. Unlike a resume, there is no page limit for CVs.

  Sections of a CV

  Contact Information

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone Number and
  • Email Address

  Objective (optional)

  It is not essential that you include an objective statement but if you do, it needs to be concise and specific. The objective should contain short-term (immediate) and long term (ultimate) career goals.

  Education

  • In reverse chronological order, the name and location of the university or college you were enrolled in
  • The degree earned and the actual, anticipated date of graduation
  • Major, minor, concentration
  • Relevant honors (e.g. Magna cum Laude, Summa cum Laude). Do not list Dean's list or other awards here
  • If you completed a thesis or dissertation as part of your Masters or PhD, include your thesis/dissertation title here
  • Don't include GPA information here

  Experience

  • In reverse chronological order, present your experiences relevant to the position you are applying for. Include:
  • Name of practice/organization
  • Your working title there
  • Location of practice (including city, state and country if not in the US)
  • Dates of employment
  • Responsibilities in the position- In describing your responsibilities phrase your responsibilities to convey transferable skills, accomplishments and effectiveness
  • Note: Depending upon the position you are applying for you may have more than one experience sections. Veterinary resumes typically have any combination of the following Experience sections
    • Animal and Veterinary Experience (general)
    • Equine Related Experience
    • Farm Animal Experience
    • Zoo and Wildlife Experience
    • Research Experience
    • Teaching Experience
    • Volunteer and Community Outreach Experience
    • Other Work Experience

    Publications and Presentations

    • List all your publications in a citation format that is appropriate - usually APA or MLA format.
    • List all talks, papers or posters you have presented along with the name, location and date of the conference/meeting. If the presentation was an invited talk indicate it.

    Externships

    In reverse chronological order. If you have multiple externships with similar responsibilities, list all externships in the format used in the Experience section first followed by a set of common responsibilities.

    Select Relevant Coursework and Training (Optional)

    If you pursued any specific coursework or training (e.g. artificial insemination, pain management, acupuncture etc) that may be directly relevant to the position you applying it may be helpful to include that information

    Conferences Attended (optional)

    If you are including this section on your CV, limit your entries to conferences on special topics that are of direct relevance to the posit on you are applying to.

    Honors and Awards (optional)

    Name of scholarships, honors, date(s) awarded

    Leadership and Professional Affiliations(Optional)

    List organization, position held and dates of participation. If describing a leadership role include responsibilities that convey leadership.

    Extracurricular Activities (optional)

    These sections can be customized dependin upon your experiences.

    Special Skills (optional)

    List any skills other than those already included in the Education and Education sections that may be relevant to the position you are applying for. Examples include proficiency in a foreign language or scientific writing or specific computer skills that may be especially relevant to the position of interest.

    References

    References should be included on a separate sheet of paper and should contain the name, title and contact information of the reference.

    Writing a Cover Letter

    A cover letter must accompany every letter or CV you send out. A cover letter is NOT a letter that simply refers the reader to the enclosed letter. Like the resume, it should be tailored to the position you are applying for. A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself, state your objective and highlight aspects of your qualifications that speak to your fit for the position you are applying to. Cover letters are often scrutinized as samples of written communication. A well-written cover letter will encourage the reader to take a serious look at your resume; conversely a poorly written cover letter can doom your job prospects even if you are potentially a great fit for the job.

    Sections of a Cover Letter

    All sections must be left justified

    Your address

    • House/Apt number,
    • Street
    • City, State

    Date

    Recipient’s name, title and address

    • Dr/Ms/Mr First and Last Name
    • Working title
    • Name of institution/organization
    • Building number, Street
    • City, State

    Salutation

    • Dear Dr/Ms/Mr Last Name
    • Please do not address it to "To Whom it May Concern"

    Opening Paragraph

    Express your intent

    Second Paragraph

    Elaborate on your qualifications and highlight aspects of your resume that are the most relevant to the job. Focus on your unique skill set and how it would be an asset to the prospective employer. Make a case for the fit between your interests and qualifications and the employer’s needs. Mention any special skills

    Closing Paragraph

    Express your desire to discuss the position in person (if possible) and indicate a specific plan (date and time) for follow-up. Express you willingness to clarify anything pertaining to your application or resume. Thank the prospective employer for taking the time to consider your application.

    Letter of Intent (for externships)

    Opening Paragraph

    Introduce yourself and state why you are writing to them. (you may want to add how you heard about them).

    Second Paragraph

    Talk about why you are interested in participating in an externship at the particular institution (eg- AMC or the National Aquarium).
    Specifically, discuss your current professional interest and how the externship fits in with that interest and your future goals.
    Share briefly what other professional exposure you have had that has prepared you to make the most out of an externship at the particular institution.

    Closing Paragraph

    Reiterate your interest in the position and provide them with the specific time period during which you are seeking to pursue the experience.
    Express you willingness to clarify anything pertaining to your application or resume.

    Contact our office with any questions you may have regarding your career:

    College of Veterinary Medicine
    Office of Student and Academic Services
    S2-009 Schurman Hall
    Ithaca, NY 14853
    phone: 607.253.3700
    vet_sas@cornell.edu