Creating a Successful Application
Have you decided that a year of service is right for you?
Here are some tips for locating and applying for service opportunities.
Preparing Your Application for a Year of Service
Click here to download a pdf presentation about preparing your application!
Tips For Crafting Your Resume
Your resume serves as your first introduction to an organization, so make sure that it sends the right message! Use these tips to help you create a well-written resume that highlights your skills and demonstrates your value to the organization.
- Be organized – start by making a list of all your work experiences, internships, volunteer work, student organization memberships, education/certifications, and skills. Select appropriate section headings and use them to organize your resume!
- Don’t get too fancy – using a template might seem like an easy solution, but will be a hassle when you add more information to your resume. Create your resume as a Word document and use bullets, section titles, and other formatting tools to make your resume organized and easy-to-read.
- Get to the point fast – when organizing your resume, place your most relevant and recent details at the top. If an organization doesn’t take the time to read your entire resume, you want them to get the most important content first.
- Use powerful words – our list of action verbs is a great guide for creating impressive descriptions of your achievements. Using creative action verbs catches the reader’s eye more than bland or repetitive descriptions.
- Play the numbers game – provide specific examples of how you contributed to a former employer or as a member of a student organization, i.e., you coordinated a major philanthropy event that raised $10,000 for a local charity.
- Cater to the opportunity – target your resume to the specific service experience.
- Don’t be Pinocchio – do not misrepresent yourself as being more qualified or skilled than you are. Misleading information on your resume harms your integrity and can leave organizations with a negative first impression.
- Presentation is everything – when submitting your resume by mail, print both your resume and cover letter on the same high-quality paper. When submitting your resume by email, submit it as a PDF and title it with your first name, last name, and the position you are applying for, if applicable (i.e., Sally Service Volunteer Coordinator resume).
- Ask for help – creating a resume for the first time or updating an existing one can be overwhelming. Utilize your Career Services office early on and often.
Sample Resumes
Check out some sample resumes below!
Need help finding a domestic or international service opportunity?
We have provided you with a list of service programs.