university of michigan cover letter

In this section

  • Exploring Majors and Careers

Resumes and Cover Letters

  • Interviewing
  • Veteran Career Resources
  • Resources for Students with Disabilities
  • Contractual Agencies
  • Tips for Student Employees
  • Data, Trends and Transitions
  • Career Services for Employers
  • Career Support for Your Students
  • National Society of Leadership and Success
  • Earn the (M)Talent Distinction

Resume Critique

Your resume is a marketing tool, and often your first introduction to a potential employer, so you want to make the best impression possible. Resumes should be tailored to the job you are seeking, and should be a brief overview of your qualifications and experience to highlight particular accomplishments for a prospective employer.

Common elements include: Contact info, Education, Experience, Honors, Activities, & Affiliations, Academic Projects, and Skills.   

Quick resources to assist with resume writing:

  • Recorded Resume Workshop
  • Resume Workshop Slides  (including links to resources & resume examples)
  • How to write strong bullet points
  • Power Verbs
  • Health Professions (HP) Resume Tips

Resume reviews and feedback are provided by our professionally trained career peers as well as our career coaches. Our goal is to return your individual review within 7 business days.

Writing your Resume

The sections below offer tips for specific sections of your resume. To get you started, we've created a few documents that you can download and edit - remember, you may have different section headings, more or less sections, etc.  Don't forget to use power verbs throughout!

Resume Formats, Common Structure, and Layout

There are common formats for writing a resume: the Chronological Resume, Combination Resume, and the Functional Resume. Remember, even with a common format, layout, and/or structure, your resume will still be unique!

Which Resume Format Should I Use?

Other recommended formatting, structure, and layout tips:.

  • One-page to two-page resume is most common (two pages for years of relevant experience)
  • Use consistent formatting throughout the resume: bolding, italics, font size, font style, date format (mm/yyyy or month year), etc. 
  • One column format 
  • Font size: 10-12 point (note: your name will be larger) and using a common font style (Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond)
  • Use 0.5-1.0-inch margins
  • Avoid using tables, grids, lines, and graphics
  • Use templates only if it fits your needs
  • Be concise with wording and make sure to proofread– don’t just rely on spell check! ( Microsoft Word does not catch ALL CAPITAL misspelled words)

Check the below section to find resume samples.

Heading (Contact Information)

Headings include how the employer can contact you.

  • If you go by your middle name/preferred name, consider using an initial (E. Thomas Jones for Eugene Thomas Jones)
  • Professional EMAIL - recommend use your UMICH.EDU email
  • Phone Number - make sure your voicemail is set up professionally and not full 
  • LinkedIn Customized URL (be sure to keep profile your up to date; more about using LinkedIn on our  Networking page)
  • Full Address or City and State
  • Other Websites or Professional Portfolios (specific to your field)

Your academic credentials are important to an employer, particularly if you are relatively new to the working world or if you are pursuing a job that requires specific training.

  • Express your educational background clearly
  • Avoid abbreviations (except for states).  Only abbreviate your degree if it is necessary to fit the space
  • The school name, city, and state
  • Type of degree (Ex: Bachelor of Science)
  • Major(s), any minor(s)/concentration(s)
  • Month and year granted or Expected Graduation month and year
  • Optional: Overall GPA or Major GPA if 2.8 and above
  • Optional: Relevant Coursework (Other common titles: Relevant Courses, Computer Courses, etc.) is commonly found within the Education section. Usually any courses level 200 or higher that are specific to the position/career field or departmental concentrations are included.
  • Optional: Certifications, teaching endorsements , or honors

An objective is a brief sentence that clarifies any skills, abilities, or experience that align with the position you are applying for. Use your objective to answer the question "what can I do for the employer?"  Consider having an objective statement when you do not have a cover letter or you are attending a recruiting event/career fair.  

A powerful objective can be broken down into three parts :

  • The title or function desired
  • The skills that the job seeker brings to the position
  • The results that the employer can expect

Objective Examples

Experiences can be highlighted in one section or broken up in a variety of ways. These sections indicate your value to the employer by highlighting accomplishments and skills you have developed through previous experiences. 

  • Common section headings include: Experience, Work History, Work Experience, Relevant Experience, Professional Experience, Experience in [specific field]
  • Other experiences to include (that may be their own section): Volunteer Experience, Practica, Field Experience, Internships, Military Experiences (check out the Other Resources  section at the bottom of this page or meet with a career coach for tips on translating your military skills to civilian terms)
  • List experiences in reverse chronological order
  • Include each job title and employer name (no supervisors or addresses needed)
  • List city, state (or country), and accurate dates for each position
  • Use bullet points with descriptive statements displaying skills, abilities, and professional accomplishments ( begin with a power verb )
  • If present work, use present tense, if past use past tense (stay away from active tense)
  • Try to include quantifiable results (number of people on a team, cost reductions, etc.) 

Additional Sections

Adding additional sections is strongly recommended if you have experience that has not been reflected through the rest of your resume. Some of these items might work well in previously mentioned sections and there may be other sections you include based on your personal experiences.

  • Include any presentation, group projects, papers, etc. that highlight your skills related to a specific field (helpful for those with limited to no formal work experiences in their field)
  • List in most relevant order (dates are not important here)
  • Structure these similar to the "Experience" section or with a Project Title and a few descriptive statements 
  • Include organizations, clubs, professional memberships, associations, leadership roles, etc.
  • Organization's name and/or positions held (could be a similar design to an "experience" section)
  • Highlight a descriptive statement of accomplishments (using power verbs) rather than stating "member"
  • Employers are more concerned with what  rather than when  here (dates are not as important)
  • Provide explanations for the names of organizations, if they are not self-evident
  • Include awards, recognitions, scholarships, etc. 
  • Consider honors and awards from employment, volunteer experiences, co-curricular activities, and academics 
  • Include any specialized knowledge - relevant/industry-related skills (equipment or programming specific to the field/job)
  • Foreign Languages 
  • Computer Programs/Software
  • Certifications (these could be listed within another section or in their own section)
  • For specific software or industries (such as SAS, or CPA)
  • State of Michigan (Elementary or Secondary) Provisional teaching
  • Teaching endorsements (find your Michigan endorsement code ) : Math (EX), Early Childhood (ZA)

Applications by Email and Digital Copies

Applications by Email:

  • Always include a brief note in the body of the email stating what you’re applying for, what materials you have attached, and how to contact you.
  • This can also be a good opportunity to reiterate your excitement for the position.

Application File Names and Saving Documents:

  • Example: JonathanWolverineResume.pdf or JonathanWolverineCoverLetter.docx
  • When sending by e-mail or posting on your LinkedIn, saving as a PDF prevents your formatting from getting jumbled; some online application systems cannot process PDFs, so always follow specific system instructions.

Other Tips:

Additional tips provided by Career Services, Talent Gateway, ICMC, CASL Internships, and CECS Co-op Staff

  • This is not easy, this can be overwhelming, and you are not alone in this process! 
  • Use a template only if it fits your needs (Ex: BA 300)
  • There's no such thing as a “perfect” or “finished” resume
  • Consider all experiences: classes, projects, student orgs, volunteer, leadership, awards, publications, presentations, certifications, special skills, etc. 
  • All resumes are different (even if formatting looks similar) 
  • POWER VERBS  - use them! ( see Resume Power Verbs and Transferable Skills )

Resume Tips for Specific Fields

Education degrees.

While similar to the resumes described above, if you're seeking a job in education there are a few additional tips to consider.

Elements to Consider when Describing Teaching Experience When describing your teaching experience, include any teaching experience such as substitute teaching, student teaching and practical/observations as well as your classroom experience. Specify if you have special skills such as

  • Multi-level subjects taught – ex: reading groups, math groups
  • Integrated curriculum/cross-disciplinary teaching/team teaching
  • Special methodologies – ex.: Math Their Way, Hunter Units
  • Special testing, ex:  the Iowa Basic
  • Teaching endorsements

Also include related experiences such as:

  • Camp counseling
  • Coaching or other extracurricular activities (plays, fairs, etc.)
  • Aide experience
  • Extra duties (e.g.,) playground, lunch room, study hall, bus duty
  • Internships and assistantship
  • Volunteering
  • Social service work involving youth
  • Supervising field trips

... or other experiences demonstrating transferable skills or work history.

Include elements that make your teaching experience unique, such as the populations you've worked with:

  • Students with physical disabilities
  • Students with visual impairments
  • Students with hearing impairments
  • ESL/Bilingual
  • Mainstreamed students
  • Inclusion students
  • Exchange students
  • Gifted students
  • Students with learning disabilities

Business Degrees

For students in the College of Business, the Internship and Career Management Center (ICMC)  is here to support you. They help students explore careers, assist with resume and internship prep, host networking events and much more!

They also provide templates for cover letters and resumes that you can customize to make your own.

Resume Samples and Templates

Here are a few samples so you can see the different types of resumes. The two listed as "templates" are Word documents that you can edit and make your own.

  • Chronological Resume
  • Combination Resume Template
  • Functional Resume Template
  • Pre-Health Resume
  • Student Veteran Resume
  • Education Resume

Cover Letter Tips and Suggestions

Writing a cover letter.

A cover letter is an introduction to your resume and your qualifications. An employer uses cover letters to determine your interests in the position and to assess your written communication skills. It is important to remember that a cover letter is not just a copy of your resume; it should intrigue the employer enough to read your attached resume.

A cover letter should answer the following questions:

  • What is the position?
  • Why are you applying for it?
  • What do you hope to gain from the position?
  • Why are you qualified?
  • What unique skills or experiences do you have?

Cover Letter Sample

Career Services

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Career Resources

The tips in the sections below will help you prepare for your internship or job search. Submitting solid application materials and developing effective networking skills can help increase your chances of landing interviews. Impressive interviewing skills can get you one step closer to securing an opportunity. Take advantage of this information and meet with a Career Services Coordinator to discuss strategies to incorporate these tips successfully.

For career guides, and in-depth tools to improve your resume, networking skills, and more, MS/MLA & PhD students should visit our Career Services Resources Google Site .

Quantify Your Resume

This is a results-oriented tactic that helps you clearly communicate the magnitude of your work with metrics. Examples: 15+, 80%, 15-20, 75

Strong Action Verbs

  • Use your bullet points to express your impact by leading with strong action verbs. Examples to avoid: Assisted, Worked, Utilized

Accomplishments > Job Duties

  • Instead of simply focusing on explaining the duties of your job, use your bullet points to explain the value you added and why you were hired to do that work.

Industry-Specific Language

  • When you are applying for a job or internship, review the description thoroughly. If your experience closely aligns with the information in the job description, use those keywords in your resume. 

Capstone Project

  • Incorporate your capstone project under your experience section. Include your hard skills and soft skills. Examples to consider: collaboration, stakeholder interactions, data collection, data analysis, technology, presentations, any recommendations or proposals you offered
  • If you haven't had many internships or jobs, emphasize relevant academic projects on your resume. If you have relevant presentations and/or publications, make sure that these are included on your resume as well.

Draw Their Attention

  • The first paragraph should mention the role and include your background, but this is also an opportunity to draw their attention by explaining what stands out about the company. Personalize your cover letter by adding a short sentence about your thoughts on their company.

Depth > Breadth

  • Cover letters must be limited to one page, so it is important to identify the alignment between your accomplishments and the qualifications they are seeking succinctly. Connect the dots by explaining the skills and values you offer from your relevant experiences.

Prioritize Skills

  • After thoroughly reviewing the job description, jot down the top 3-4 skills they are looking for and make these the primary focus of your body paragraphs. This helps provide direction as you write and it gives you the opportunity to emphasize your biggest accomplishments related to those skills.

Express Gratitude

  • The final paragraph is typically a formality, but always make sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.

Consider People of Interest

  • You have many options when it comes to networking, so it can feel like an intimidating process. Think about your starting point. You can begin initiating conversations with faculty and alumni and then move on to recruiters and employees that work at companies of interest.

Conduct Research

  • Make the best use of the individual's time by researching their work and industry before you meet. Identify common interests and shared experiences.

Plan Your Approach

  • Think about the end goal for this interaction. Ask questions that will provide the information you want. This may include advice, employer information, recommendations, career insights, and/or referrals.

Be Considerate, Sincere, and Courteous

  • Expanding your network can be exciting. When you ask people to set aside their time, make sure to keep your outreach concise, clear, and polite. You should keep the pertinent details but avoid overloading them with information.

Maintain Contact 

  • Following up with your network is a key step in maintaining relationships. Keep in touch with your contacts, but respect their boundaries. You may only speak every few months, but it is always good to share about how their insight helped or to congratulate them on a new accomplishment. Relationships need nourishment!  

Be Memorable

  • Leave a lasting impression by providing specific examples. By using the STAR (situation-task-action-result) format, you will provide valuable context, explain the steps you took, and the resulting impact.

Ask Questions

  • Always take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions. This shows that you are engaged and it offers insights on your priorities as a candidate. These questions can be related to supervision style, the criteria for success, potential challenges, or other topics that shed light on the company's values.
  • Display your knowledge of the organization and the role by being prepared for your interview. This will also help you to avoid asking obvious questions that can be found through research. You can search their website, recent news articles, LinkedIn, and even connect with employees within the organization.
  • Keep your follow up message short and sweet by thanking them for their time and the opportunity. Personalize your outreach by addressing the interviewer by name and mentioning something that you learned during the interview.
  • IGEN Resources for Grad Student Wellbeing
  • Headspace: Guided Meditation and Mindfulness Exercises
  • UMich Wellness Coaching
  • Graduate Student Resources
  • First Generation Students
  • International Students
  • 31 Days of Self-Care

For general questions, please email us at [email protected] .

How to Apply to Math REUs

For undergraduates potentially interested in going to graduate school for math or just curious about math research in general, REUs are a great way to gain research experience. I attended two REUs in the past and had great experiences, so I’ve put together this page in hopes that it might be helpful to anyone who’s considering applying. A lot of inspiration for this page came from Alex Lang’s NSF GRFP page , which is an excellent resource if you are a junior and plan to apply for the NSF next year!

What is an REU?

Outline of application process and components, factors to consider when applying, general tips, recommendation letters, personal/research statement, what to do after you’ve been accepted.

Disclaimer: Everything stated on this page is my personal opinion; it is not the opinion of any institution or REU program that I’m affiliated with. This advice is based on my own limited personal experience. Any suggestions for improvements are very welcome.

Link to my homepage

Links to other peoples’ REU application advice: Math REU Advice , Professor Courtney Gibbons , Rose-Hulman REU

An REU (research experience for undergraduates) is a summer program designed to introduce undergraduates to mathematical research. They typically run for about 6–8 weeks, and usually pair an undergraduate or a small group of undergraduates with a mentor (faculty member or postdoc or grad student) to work on a project. REUs are a full-time commitment—a stipend is provided (usually restricted to US citizens or permanent residents), and most places will provide housing and/or meals. In addition to research, REUs will often organize social events and fun excursions.

There are several websites listing the REU programs running each year. Be aware that these lists may not be complete and the programs listed might not necessarily take place every year!

  • Math REU Programs
  • NSF REU Sites
  • AMS List of Math REU Programs

Most REU application deadlines are in February , but it’s important to start early and not wait until the last minute. Winter break is a good time to work on applications, but most applications should be up by November and it never hurts to start thinking about them earlier. You should ask for recommendation letters early (at least a month before the deadline) and order transcripts in advance, as it may take a while to process them.

  • Personal information and CV: not all programs require a CV but it’s generally useful to have, especially if you’re applying to grad school
  • Transcript (usually unofficial ones are ok): some programs also ask for a separate list of math classes you’ve taken (with grades and textbooks listed)
  • Personal/research statement
  • 1–3 letters of recommendation (usually 2): in my opinion this is the most important part of your application

Read the project descriptions carefully to see what kind of math is involved. Looking at projects from previous years is helpful, and it’s also useful to look into what kind of research the project leader does, as the REU project they supervise is often related to their own research. It’s important to be open-minded— don't limit yourself to topics and areas that fit your current interests . There is a huge amount of interesting math out there, and an REU provides a great opportunity to learn new things.

The mentor’s style is also an important factor to consider. Do you want someone more hands-on or do you want to be more independent? How often do you want to meet your mentor and the rest of your research group? Do you want a one-on-one experience or do you want to be in a larger group? Do you care if you’ll mostly be working with a grad student or with a professor?

  • Some programs focus on an immersive learning experience, where you pick one topic and study it in depth. The level of the material and the extent to which you learn about it are both greater than what is covered during the ordinary school year.
  • Some programs focus on original math research, which otherwise students typically don’t experience until after the first few years graduate school (unless you do a senior thesis or some other project). The REU mentor will often provide a lot of guidance, and it may be useful to see what research is like before applying to grad school.

There is no “better” type of program—it all depends on what you want. The two descriptions listed above are very broad generalizations that do not exhaustively describe all programs. If possible, look at the work that people from previous years have done—sometimes this is posted on the REU website, and sometimes past participants will post their work on the arXiv , which you can find by searching for their names.

Make sure you’re eligible before you apply! Many REUs will not accept international students due to funding restrictions, and some will take international students but ask them to find their own funding (for example through their home institution). It might still be worth applying since some programs do have the funding to admit some students who are not permanent US residents—just be honest about your status and see whether or not they are flexible.

It’s important that you meet the requirements for background knowledge. Some programs do not require any background, some explicitly state that they require a linear algebra and proof-based class, and some specifically target students who have not taken any upper-level math. Some programs have minimum GPA requirements. Some programs are only open to students enrolled at the home institution.

As you’ll be living here for several weeks over the summer, location can be an important factor—what is the weather like in the summer? How close is it to your home and/or home institution? How are you going to get here, and is transportation covered by the program? Are you interested in attending graduate school here?

Make sure you don’t have any conflicts with the start and ends dates of the program. Some REUs are more flexible about this than others, and it doesn’t hurt to ask.

REUs have stipends that vary depending on the program. Some cover housing and/or food costs, and some provide support for transportation to/from the program. Some programs that are not NSF-funded are able to provide financial support to international students.

Don’t worry if you don’t know all the specifics at the time you’re applying though—your goals and priorities might change between the time you apply and the time you have to accept an offer (usually around early March).

The application process is free, so don’t limit yourself to just a few programs. At the same time, applying is time-consuming and a lot of work, and it’s a bad idea to just blindly submit the same application to a bunch of different programs. I would recommend picking 1–2 top choices (it’s ok if you aren’t 100% set on one specific program when you submit your applications!) and applying to no more than 10 total (all of which you are genuinely interested in and really do want to attend). Make sure you carefully follow the instructions for the programs that you apply to.

REUs are extremely competitive, with hundreds of students applying for a very limited number of spots. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get into one your first try! These programs are very competitive, and this is by no means a comment that you’re somehow not “good enough”—there’s often a lot of luck involved, and sometimes there might be something specific that the coordinators are looking for. If you don’t get into an REU, you can ask a faculty member at your home institution if they would be willing to oversee a summer project or reading course with you. Keep in mind that REUs are not necessary for going to grad school or for doing math research in the future, and there are many other fulfilling activities that you can do over the summer.

This is the most important component of your application (in my opinion). Most REUs require 1–2 letters of recommendation, and some will require a letter from a previous REU advisor if you’ve participated in an REU before. It’s very important that you find someone who can write you a detailed and enthusiastic letter, and it’s useful to show them your application before they write the letter so they know how you’re presenting yourself. It is better to have a glowing letter from a less senior person who knows you well than it is to have a lukewarm letter from a famous person who doesn’t know you.

It’s ok to ask for letters from postdocs, but I would avoid asking graduate students for letters. Don’t ask for letters from people whose classes you didn’t excel in—you want someone who can speak positively about your mathematical ability and potential to do research!

Some potential letter-writers could include:

  • Someone who you have directly done research with already, e.g. previous REU mentors or a faculty member at your institution with whom you did a project during the school year. This doesn’t have to be limited to math, for example if you’ve worked in a lab before a letter from the PI would make sense. According to a professor I talked to before writing this, “People want to see the ability and drive of the applicant. In some sense, math knowledge is not as important as these things.”
  • Instructor of a math class who you directly interacted with and who remembers you, e.g. a class where you asked a lot of questions or went to office hours, someone who oversaw an independent reading course
  • Other faculty members who you know and have interacted with, if they have something concrete to say.

Please request your letters at least a month in advance of the deadline—your letter writers are busy people! Make sure you have your documents prepared in advance, since, to repeat Ravi Vakil’s advice, it is in your interest to make your busy letter writer's job as easy as possible . It is also helpful if your letters mention what you are like as a person, since teamwork and collaboration are important parts of an REU and so coordinators may be less likely to choose someone who does not work well with others. ( Thanks for Colin Defant for this tip! )

If your letters haven’t been submitted close to the application deadline, send a friendly and polite reminder—it is your responsibility to remind your letter writers of the deadline. Be sure to thank your letter writers afterward, and keep them updated.

Links to other peoples’ advice about recommendation letters: Professor Ravi Vakil , Professor A.J. de Jong

  • Why do you like math? Be specific about why you find it interesting and how you became interested in it. Citing specific examples (e.g. a class or a theorem) is better than something generic and broad like “math is beautiful”; presumably everyone else applying for the REU thinks so too.
  • Why do you want to do research this summer? Don’t write a generic statement that doesn’t mention any of the specific projects and why you are interested in those projects in particular. It’s tempting to reuse the same statement for different programs, but you should make sure your statement for each program that you apply to includes specifics and makes it clear that you really do want to attend that particular REU.
  • Talk about your previous research experience (if any)—what did you get out of the experience, what was the problem studied, what results did you get, and how did you go about solving the problem?
  • Talk about why you are interested in the specific project or area of research that the REU is about. Try to be specific rather than generic. ( Thanks for Colin Defant for this tip! )
  • Mention any previous coursework and independent reading you’ve done that directly relates to the research project. Again, specifics are good.
  • If you’ve had previous experiences where you’ve worked with others on a research team, it’s good to mention this teamwork. Most REUs have students working together in groups with one another, so it’s important for the organizers that you be able to work the other participants.
  • What are your plans after graduation? How will this REU contribute to them?
  • This (and potentially letters) is the place on your application where you can explain poor grades if needed, but don’t spend too much space on it.
  • Ask another person to proofread it!
  • Mattie Ji, UMich 2023 [statement of interest]
  • Anonymous student, UMich 2022 [cover letter]
  • Anonymous student, [University of Maryland 2021 personal statement] , [DIMACS 2021 personal statement] , [UCLA CAM 2021 personal statement] , [UC Davis 2021 personal statement]
  • Kenneth DeMason, UChicago 2019 [statement of interest]
  • Ryan Alweiss, Duluth 2016 [personal statement]
  • Sarah Fleming, Emory REU 2016 [cover letter] [research statement]
  • Daniel Vitek, SMALL 2013 (knot theory) [academic summary] [personal statement] [research statement]

If you have a personal statement that you are willing to share and would like for it to be posted to help other future REU applicants, please email me at lenaji [at] umich [dot] edu. (These essays can also be anonymized and have identifying information removed.)

Many programs have agreed to the Common Reply Date agreement, which means that students accepted to these programs will not be required to accept or to decline an offer until a fixed date that’s the same for all REUs in the agreement (usually in early March). This means you have until this date to make a decision—it’s a bad idea to accept an offer and then back out later.

If you have questions about a program and you cannot find the answers on the website, it may be reasonable to email the program administrator about them, especially if you've been accepted to the REU. If you’re waiting to hear back from somewhere else before giving a program a response, let the program director know this! In some situations it’s also appropriate to ask for updates on the status of your application, for example if you have to respond to an offer from another program by a certain deadline. Also, don’t give up hope if you don’t hear back for a while—sometimes more offers will be sent out if the initial ones aren’t all accepted. On that note, if you’ve been admitted to an REU that you are certain you will not attend, you should decline it as soon as possible so that they can admit other applicants.

If you’re having difficulty deciding where to go, don’t hesitate to talk to people who’ve participated in the past or attend the institution where the program is hosted. Emailing is a good way to get specific information too—some people might ignore your email, but others may be happy to reply and share their experiences or link you to the project that they worked on.

Good luck with your applications!!

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Reference Letters

Reference letters play a key role in the application for graduate and professional school, employment, scholarships, enrichment programs, etc.  The following resources are designed to support letter writers as well as students so that better information and preparation may lead to stronger outcomes.

  • Best Practices for Letter Writers
  • Reference Letters FAQ for Students

Admissions, Recruitment, and Financial Aid Officer

How to apply.

Candidates should submit the following as one document:

1. Cover Letter / Letter of interest 2. Resume 3. One page statement that discusses/shares a recent experience; what was learned from this experience, and what you did with what you learned.

In order for the Career Portal system to accept a cover letter and one page statement, please include these as a page of your resume document

The School of Social Work seeks a candidate to provide assistance with student and administrative support in the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management. The candidate in this position will work as a member of a high functioning unit with a myriad of interactions across administrative units within the School of Social Work including the MSW Program Director's Office, the SSW Career Center and the Office of Field Education.

Responsibilities*

Recruitment/Admissions

  • Provide informational presentations to promote the MSW program.
  • Coordinate and participate in student recruitment and admissions activities including, evaluating applications for admission, attending Admission Review Team meetings and meeting with admitted students (in-person, zoom, phone meeting).
  • Contact applicant recommenders to gather information for admissions decisions, meet with prospective MSW students (in-person, zoom, phone meetings), and assist with pre-admission interviews
  • Travel for recruitment events as needed.
  • Provide additional admissions and recruitment assistance as needed.

Financial Aid

  • Share information regarding financial aid opportunities, policies, and procedures with prospective and current students.
  • Serve as a member of the Financial Aid Committee.
  • Assist with financial aid reviews and re-reviews for incoming and continuing MSW students for need scholarships, merit based scholarships, and donor scholarships.
  • Review financial aid letters for accuracy.

Required Qualifications*

  • Master's degree (in Social Work, preferred).
  • Demonstrated experience in graduate education and working with graduate students.
  • Demonstrated experience in college level recruitment.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, excellent problem-solving abilities, ability to understand and improve upon complex processes, strong attention to detail, and ability to coordinate multiple projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials and situations.
  • Ability to work some evenings for recruitment and school events.
  • Ability to work in-person on campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Desired Qualifications*

  • Extensive experience working in higher education.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the University of Michigan School of Social Work MSW program.

Work Locations

This is an in-person role at the School of Social Work in Ann Arbor, MI. A hybrid schedule that includes remote work may be approved by the supervisor aligned with SSW flexible work schedule policies. 

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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  3. University Cover Letter Template

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  4. College Student Cover Letter Sample

    university of michigan cover letter

  5. University Of Michigan Cover Letter

    university of michigan cover letter

  6. How To Write A Cover Letter For University Application

    university of michigan cover letter

COMMENTS

  1. Cover Letter Resources

    Your cover letter should include 3-4 paragraphs with the following information: First Paragraph. The main purpose of the first paragraph is to introduce yourself and tell why you are writing. You want to grab the employer's attention: why you are interested in this position and/or why this organization. Use your community: if someone has ...

  2. Resumes and Cover Letters

    The University of Michigan-Dearborn Bachelor of Arts Major: Communications Minor: Management GPA: 3.8. Relevant Coursework: Professional Communication Ethics, Communication Research Methods. Dearborn, MI ... A cover letter is an introduction to your resume and your qualifications. An employer uses cover letters to determine your interests in ...

  3. Resources

    Resources. The UM University Career Center offers a variety of resources to support your career exploration, internship and job searches, and preparation for graduate and professional programs: Clothes Closet-- Select business professional and business casual clothing at no cost to you. Resume Resources-- Take advantage of the tips and resume ...

  4. Help and FAQ

    The University of Michigan conducts background checks for: All selected candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment/appointment; ... The system accepts resumes/cover letters created in a DOC, DOCX, RTF, ODT, PDF, and TXT. Using DOCX for your resume and cover letter is the recommended format.

  5. Resume Resources

    A resume presents your story by highlighting your skills (the things you do well). Employers initially scan a resume for 30 to 60 seconds, so it needs to be descriptive and concise at the same time. It also needs to be tailored to the organization to which you are applying. We asked a few recruiters to tell us what they notice on a resume in 30 ...

  6. Lettersmith

    Cover Letter. Applying for a new job? Describe yourself in a way that resonates with the job posting. Customize Your Own. Do you have an idea for a custom writing template that could help your students or others write to a specific audience or objective? Design a custom template, add tags, include writing examples, and share your template with ...

  7. PDF Career Guide

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2092 career.engin.umich.edu General Questions: (734) 647-7160 [email protected] 38 INTERVIEWS 10 RESUMES, CVs AND COVER LETTERS 4 STUDENT SERVICES 51 GRADUATE SCHOOL 48 EVALUATING OFFERS 26 JOB SEARCH CONTENTS

  8. Career Resources

    COVER LETTER TIPS. Draw Their Attention. The first paragraph should mention the role and include your background, but this is also an opportunity to draw their attention by explaining what stands out about the company. ... University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability Dana Building 440 Church Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (734 ...

  9. Search for Jobs or Internships

    Interviews can be scheduled on short timelines in a search process, so get ahead of the game by preparing and practicing. The UCC coaches are here to support you with all your preparation for interviews, resumes, cover letters, sharpening your online tools like LinkedIn, and learning tips to best leverage Handshake.

  10. Resume Resources

    The Cover Letter . A cover letter is a one-page document written in business letter format used to highlight your education, experience, and skills related to the position. This document should capture the reader's attention, while expressing your interest in the company/job, and emphasize the top three or four characteristics meeting the job ...

  11. Applying to REUs

    Some cover housing and/or food costs, and some provide support for transportation to/from the program. Some programs that are not NSF-funded are able to provide financial support to international students. ... Anonymous student, UMich 2022 [cover letter] Kenneth DeMason, UChicago 2019 [statement of interest] Ryan Alweiss, Duluth 2016 [personal ...

  12. GSI, GSRA, and GSSA opportunities

    Email the professors with a cover letter (in the body of email) and an attached resume. Each letter should be focused on the specific class and why you are the right person to teach it. Most professors do not respond, but making this contact can be crucial to landing a GSI spot. ... School of Information University of Michigan 105 S State St ...

  13. Reference Letters

    Reference letters play a key role in the application for graduate and professional school, employment, scholarships, enrichment programs, etc. The following resources are designed to support letter writers as well as students so that better information and preparation may lead to stronger outcomes. Best Practices for Letter Writers.

  14. Admissions, Recruitment, and Financial Aid Officer

    In order for the Career Portal system to accept a cover letter and one page statement, please include these as a page of your resume document ... Demonstrated knowledge of the University of Michigan School of Social Work MSW program. Work Locations. This is an in-person role at the School of Social Work in Ann Arbor, MI. A hybrid schedule that ...