To stand out from the competition for graduate programs, you’ll need to craft an accomplishment-driven document that showcases your most compelling academic achievements. Providing descriptions of specific research projects and internships is one way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. Many universities also place a great deal of weight on associations you were involved in and your volunteer efforts. We’ll provide expert tips to help you translate your academic background and experience into a powerful resume.
Graduate School Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
Marketing College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Jessica’s resume highlights her academic excellence and practical marketing experience. The quantifiable achievements, such as increasing engagement and website traffic, showcase her ability to deliver results. Learn more about highlighting metrics: Resume Skills.
Computer Science Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Michael’s resume highlights his technical skills and academic achievements while focusing on practical contributions during his internship and research experience. The quantifiable results emphasize his ability to optimize and enhance systems effectively. Learn more about showcasing technical expertise: Technical Skills for Resume.
New Graduate Nurse Resume
Why This Resume Works
Emily’s resume effectively highlights her clinical experience and hands-on contributions during rotations and externship. Emphasizing patient satisfaction metrics and her role in individualized care plans adds depth to her profile. Learn how to create impactful resumes for nursing roles: Resume Outline Examples.
Engineering College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Daniel’s resume effectively demonstrates his technical expertise in engineering while emphasizing hands-on experience through internships and research. Quantifiable achievements, like improving product durability and energy capture, highlight his ability to deliver impactful results. Learn how to enhance technical resumes here: Resume Skills.
Accounting College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume combines academic excellence with practical accounting experience. Her internship achievements, such as saving clients money on tax returns, demonstrate her ability to add value. The balance of technical and interpersonal skills makes her a strong candidate for accounting roles. Learn more about presenting financial expertise: Resume Objective Examples.
New Graduate Nurse Resume
Why This Resume Works
Olivia’s resume highlights her clinical expertise and patient-centered care approach. Quantifiable achievements, like a 98% patient satisfaction score, make her a standout candidate for nursing roles. Discover more ways to emphasize patient care experience: Resume Outline Examples.
Computer Science Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Ethan’s resume effectively combines technical skills with practical experience. Highlighting measurable results, such as reducing response times and improving application speed, demonstrates his ability to deliver value. His academic excellence and technical expertise make him a strong candidate for roles in software development. Learn how to highlight your skills: Technical Skills for Resume.
Human Resources College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume highlights her ability to manage HR processes efficiently and contribute to organizational growth. Quantifiable results, such as increasing employer participation and supporting 300+ students, showcase her impact. Her strong academic background and practical HR experience make her an ideal candidate for entry-level HR roles. Learn how to emphasize HR skills: Soft Skills for Resume.
New Graduate Marketing Resume
Why This Resume Works
Emily’s resume demonstrates her ability to create impactful marketing campaigns and analyze their performance. Highlighting measurable results, such as increasing engagement rates and user registrations, showcases her ability to deliver value. Her strong academic background and practical experience make her a strong candidate for marketing roles. Learn how to highlight marketing skills: Resume Summary Examples.
Engineering College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
James’s resume effectively combines technical expertise with measurable achievements, such as reducing production costs and increasing output. Highlighting experience with CAD design and renewable energy systems underscores his innovative approach. His academic excellence and practical skills position him well for entry-level engineering roles. Learn more about showcasing engineering skills: Resume Skills.
New Graduate Nurse Resume
Why This Resume Works
Maria’s resume highlights her clinical experience and ability to contribute to patient satisfaction. Quantifiable achievements, such as a 95% satisfaction rate and improved adherence rates, demonstrate her impact in patient care. The inclusion of certifications strengthens her qualifications for nursing roles. Learn how to showcase certifications: How to List Certifications on Resume.
Accounting College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
David’s resume demonstrates a strong foundation in accounting principles and hands-on experience with financial reporting and audits. Highlighting achievements, such as reducing tax filing errors, showcases his attention to detail and ability to contribute to organizational success. His academic excellence and practical experience make him an ideal candidate for entry-level accounting roles. Learn how to tailor your resume for finance roles: Resume Summary Examples.
Human Resources College Graduate Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume effectively highlights her HR experience, including her ability to improve employee engagement and ensure policy compliance. Her academic accomplishments, combined with her SHRM certification, demonstrate her commitment to professional development. Learn more about building an HR resume: Resume Skills.
Computer Science Graduate Resume Example
Why This Resume Works
Ethan’s resume highlights his technical expertise and hands-on experience with machine learning and software development. By showcasing quantifiable results, such as reducing energy consumption and improving accuracy, Ethan establishes himself as a valuable candidate for tech roles. Learn more about highlighting technical skills: Technical Skills for Resume.
New Graduate Nurse Resume
Why This Resume Works
Alyssa’s resume emphasizes her dedication to patient care and her ability to handle clinical responsibilities effectively. Highlighting her experience with underserved populations and chronic disease management demonstrates her adaptability and compassion. Learn how to tailor your nursing resume: Resume Summary Examples.
Accounting College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Daniel’s resume demonstrates his strong foundation in accounting through relevant internships and academic achievements. His experience in audits and process improvement highlights his attention to detail and analytical skills. Learn more about showcasing accounting skills: Resume Skills.
Engineering College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Emily’s resume effectively highlights her technical skills and hands-on experience in engineering projects. Her ability to deliver tangible results, such as improving system efficiency and enhancing durability, demonstrates her value as a candidate. Learn how to optimize your engineering resume: Resume Objective Examples.
Marketing College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Olivia’s resume combines academic achievements with impactful marketing experience. Her ability to drive engagement through social media and contribute to data-driven campaigns showcases her readiness to excel in the marketing field. Learn how to tailor your marketing resume: Resume Summary Examples.
Human Resources College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works:
Michael’s resume highlights his ability to make meaningful contributions to HR teams through recruitment support and policy updates. His experience developing actionable feedback tools demonstrates his innovative approach to employee engagement. Explore tips for HR resumes: How to List Certifications on Resume.
New Graduate Nurse Resume
Why This Resume Works
Sophia’s resume effectively showcases her clinical experience and strong academic background. Her ability to build trust with patients and families, along with her hands-on skills, positions her as a promising new graduate nurse. Discover more about nursing resumes: Resume Objective Examples.
Computer Science Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Ethan’s resume highlights his technical expertise and contributions to cutting-edge projects in AI and software development. His internship at Google and research experience at Stanford demonstrate his strong problem-solving skills and ability to innovate. Learn more about crafting a standout tech resume: Resume Skills.
Engineering College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Lucas’ resume effectively showcases his technical expertise, including his contributions to aerospace systems and advanced materials research. His ability to combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on engineering applications demonstrates his readiness for the workforce. Explore tips for engineering resumes: Resume Outline Examples.
Accounting College Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Maria’s resume combines a strong academic foundation with practical experience gained through internships. Highlighting her achievements in tax preparation and financial analysis demonstrates her readiness to contribute to any accounting team. For more accounting resume tips, visit: Resume Skills.
Nursing Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works
Chloe’s resume highlights her clinical experience and strong academic performance. Her ability to work in high-pressure environments and deliver quality care makes her a standout candidate for nursing roles. Discover more nursing resume tips: Best Resume Formats.
Economics Graduate Resume
Why This Resume Works:
Nathan’s resume combines academic excellence with practical experience, highlighting his ability to analyze data and contribute to policy decisions. His internship experience and research assistant role demonstrate his capability to drive meaningful economic insights. For more tips, visit: Resume Summary Examples.
Graduate School Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Graduate School Resume
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your graduate student qualifications
When applying to graduate school, develop a professional summary at the top of your resume that encapsulates your key skills and academic expertise. Even if you lack hands-on experience in the field, this section will allow you to make a strong case for why you should be considered for graduate programs.
For example, displaying emotional intelligence and client relations skills you may have acquired through volunteerism could resonate with the university if you intend to pursue a field of study in health care. Pay close attention to what qualities the program is looking for in its candidates and consider how your academic career aligns with the university’s values.
Professional Profile - Example #1
Profile
A speech pathology graduate specializing in speech-language therapy, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), American Sign Language (ASL), and team leadership. A proven track record of mentoring students within the speech-language program and providing English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring services.
Professional Profile - Example #2
Profile
An economics graduate specializing in statistical analysis, accounting, financial analysis, risk management, and return on investment (ROI) analysis. Experience in conducting economic research to evaluate statistical trends and inform financial decision-making for businesses.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven graduate student professional experience section
Crafting a professional experience section can be difficult for graduate students due to a lack of hands-on experience within your field. If you’ve completed an internship or research fellowship, feature this experience as the flagship of your resume. But if you haven’t had this type of opportunity, don’t panic. Leveraging your academic projects can also be highly impactful in showing your qualifications for graduate programs.
Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Internship, Anderson Financial Firm, San Francisco, CA
April 2020 – April 2021
- Performed statistical analysis on economic and financial trends for a financial investment firm, which included evaluating the potential ROI of startup businesses
- Supported a team of financial analysts and economists in evaluating business models, analyzing risk, and forecasting financial outlook to inform investment decisions
- Attended meetings with the finance team and assisted with the preparation of financial presentations and reports
Academic Projects Example
Academic Projects
Psychology Research Projects, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
May 2021 – June 2022
- Wrote a 25-page research paper for the psychology capstone course analyzing the cultural experience of Chinese American immigrants in urban and rural areas and the relationship between institutionalized racism and anxiety
- Developed a 10-page research paper evaluating the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to treat depression symptoms
3. Include relevant graduate student education and certifications
When applying for graduate school programs, feature your education, coursework, and academic achievements prominently on your document. Depending on your field of study, you may also want to consider pursuing a certification to strengthen your application. For example, if you were pursuing a graduate degree in economics or finance, you could obtain a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification after completing the FINRA exam. This shows universities you’ve been proactive in expanding your knowledge and expertise while pursuing graduate programs.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Speech-Language Pathology
- Columbia University, New York, NY September 2019 – June 2023
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), 2023
4. List relevant graduate student key skills and proficiencies
When building your resume for your graduate school application, create a robust skills section highlighting a mix of both hard and soft skills. Universities use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out unqualified candidates. Include as many relevant keywords as possible to maximize your chances of advancing to the next phase of the application process. Before you apply, carefully evaluate the graduate program you’re pursuing and ensure you include all the necessary coursework and skills in your document. Below are some potential keywords to use during the application process:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Academic research | Accounting |
| Actuarial science | Biology |
| Business modeling | Calculus |
| Cell-based assays | Cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Curriculum development | Drug development |
| Economics | Engineering |
| Finance | Financial analysis |
| Kinesiology | Nursing theory |
| Pharmaceutical science | Psychology |
| Public health | Social sciences |
| Social work | Statistics |
| Teaching | Team leadership |
| Written communication | |
5. Highlight academic achievements as a graduate student
Featuring key academic projects and educational achievements is essential for building a strong graduate school application. Be sure to include all of your relevant degrees, academic associations, GPAs, and coursework. For example, as a speech pathologist student, you may want to include your knowledge of ASL. If you were an engineering graduate, emphasize projects where you collaborated with student teams to create prototypes.
How To Pick the Best Graduate Resume Template
It’s best to select a well-organized, straightforward template when applying for graduate school applications. Although flashy colors and graphics may be visually appealing, these types of modern templates often distract the reader from your content. When in doubt, prioritize structure and organization over style.
Frequently Asked Questions: Graduate School Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for graduate school resumes?-
It’s easy to run short on action verbs when describing your internships, research fellowships, and academic projects. In many instances, a limited number of verbs can convey your academic experience accurately. Differentiating your word choice sends a message to the reader that you’ve put time and effort into your graduate school application. We’ve compiled a list of verbs to build your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyze | Build |
| Calculate | Collaborate |
| Conduct | Construct |
| Coordinate | Create |
| Deliver | Design |
| Develop | Diagnose |
| Evaluate | Execute |
| Implement | Led |
| Manage | Plan |
| Provide | Resolve |
| Respond | Support |
| Taught | Test |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
The top graduate school programs are highly competitive. Numerous factors come into play, including your undergraduate program, GRE scores, internship experience, and letters of recommendation. To maximize your chances, carefully tailor your resume to the program you’re applying for. However, determining what key terms to include can be challenging on a graduate school resume, as not all programs will provide you with a robust description to build off of. Integrate as many key terms and courses from your field as possible in this situation.
What is the best graduate school resume format?-
The ideal graduate school format varies depending on your field of study and professional experience. If you’ve completed an internship, a reverse chronological approach is the best option. Other candidates may opt to feature their education and academic projects directly below their opening summary. Ultimately, choose a format that allows you to feature your most compelling qualifications and academic achievements at the top of your resume.
How many pages should my graduate school resume be?-
Generally, a graduate school resume should be one page for candidates with fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume is acceptable if you’re a seasoned professional with extensive accomplishments—but only if it provides meaningful details that strengthen your application. Tailor your content to the job, focusing on your most relevant qualifications.
Work history should typically cover the last 10 to 15 years. Older positions can be excluded or briefly summarized unless they’re highly relevant. A concise, focused resume demonstrates your ability to prioritize and communicate effectively.
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Most graduate programs require some form of cover letter from applicants. To garner interest from universities, highlight how your background and personal values align with the programs you’re targeting. Avoid crafting generic cover letters. They won’t generate results. Be thoughtful in your messaging and display a genuine passion for your field of study. For more information, visit our recent graduate school cover letter page.
