Resumes and Cover Letters
Most employers spend 20 seconds or less scanning a resume. In those seconds, your resume needs to clearly demonstrate how your education, experience and skills qualify you for the position.
Resume advising is available every week at the Career Services office in Brock Hall. Check the schedule for this month's days and times. Before attending a resume advising session, browse the resume and cover letter resources below.
Resume and cover letter resources
Tip sheets
Resumes and Cover Letters (275KB PDF)
Sample resumes and cover letters
Sample Resume: Kate Chu (103KB PDF)
Kate is an English Literature major applying for a Communications Assistant role with a social media focus.
Sample Cover Letter: Kate Chu (92KB PDF)
Kate is an English Literature major applying for a Communications Assistant role with a social media focus.
Sample Resume: Sarah January (159KB PDF)
Sarah is a Biology major with an Environmental Sciences minor, applying for a job related to ecological education and outreach.
Sample Cover Letter: Sarah January (92KB PDF)
Sarah is a Biology major with an Environmental Sciences minor, applying for a job related to ecological education and outreach.
Sample Resume: Jake Publicity (50KB PDF)
Jake is a Psychology major applying for a role in marketing and promotions.
Sample Resume: Jane Homeostasis (58KB PDF)
Jane is a Biology major applying for a research role in a laboratory.
Sample Resume: Janet Java (51KB PDF)
Janet is a recent graduate in Computer Science applying for a technical support position.
Sample Resume: Kassandra Kleinfeld (131KB PDF)
Kassandra is an Engineering student with extensive volunteer experience and honours.
Sample Resume: Joshua Plant (65KB PDF)
Joshua recently graduated with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Sample Resume: Dorothy Toto (114KB PDF)
Dorothy is a recent graduate with a BSc applying for a role as a dietitian.
Sample Resume: Beverly Lau (80KB PDF)
Beverly is a Science student applying for a Work Study job in a health clinic.
Online resources
Crash Course on Careers: Writing a Winning Application Learn what employers are looking for and how to tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences
Related Career Services blog posts
- Resumes 1-on-1
- Volunteer Your Way to a Great Resume
- Resumes 101: Analyzing a Job Posting
- Resumes 101: General Resume Rules
- Resumes 101: Writing Accomplishment Statements
- Resumes 101: Related Experience and Additional Experience
Job search resources
UBC CareersOnline
Exclusively for UBC students and alumni, UBC CareersOnline features a mix of full-time, part-time, casual, internship and volunteer opportunities.
Industry-specific job boards
- Alliance for Arts and Culture (arts jobs)
- Marketing Association of BC (marketing jobs)
- Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (engineering and geoscience jobs)
- Eco Canada (environmental or "green" jobs)
- Good Work Canada (environmental or "green" jobs)
- Charity Village (non-profit industry jobs)
- Idealist.org (non-profit industry jobs and volunteer opportunities)
- Make a Future (public education jobs)
- Land and Food Systems (faculty job board)
- T-Net (high-tech & IT jobs)
- Government - federal (public service jobs with the Government of Canada)
- Government - provincial (public service jobs with BC Provincial Government)
- Life Sciences BC (biological science jobs)
- BC Recreation and Parks Association (sports and recreation jobs)
- Sport BC (sports jobs)
