Application Materials
Resumes
Your resume is an extremely important resource for a prospective employer to understand who you are as a professional. Many people use a traditional resume only containing black text, but you may also choose to use a creative resume including colors and graphics for more creative or design-oriented jobs. See our resume guides for samples and guidance on crafting your resume, whether you want it to be traditional or more creative.
Unless the application instructions specify otherwise, be sure to convert your resume to a PDF before submitting it. This will prevent your resume’s formatting from being altered through an applicant tracking system or the process of transferring between devices. If you’re using Microsoft Word, under the File tab, click “Save As” and change the “Word Document” dropdown to “PDF” before you save the file. In Google Docs, under the File tab, click “Download” and select “PDF Document.” In a graphic design program like Photoshop, be sure to export your file as a PDF rather than an image file like a PNG or JPG.
Cover Letters
The Career Center’s cover letters page can guide you through constructing each component of an effective cover letter! Be sure to check out the cover letter resources at the bottom of their page to see a sample of a compelling cover letter and some advice for tailoring a unique letter for each application. You might also find this blog post from HireDePaul helpful in further deconstructing the cover letter. When formatting your letter, be sure to use a standard font like Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial, use font size 10, 11 or 12 and don’t include any images — this document should include text only! Also, always use a cover letter in your application, even if the employer doesn’t specifically request one. A cover letter can set you apart from other applicants who did not attach one, and it also gives you the opportunity to express more of your personality and specific skills than could fit on your resume.
Writing Samples
Some employers require you to submit writing samples to give them a sense of whether your writing abilities and style are a good fit with their organization. When preparing your writing sample(s), consider the type of job you are applying to. For example, for a PR position, you should submit a press release or any other document relevant to the PR field. For a journalism position, you might submit a blog post or article you’ve written. For an advertising position, you could submit advertising copy for social media or email. You can use a writing assignment from a class or previous internship in your field, or you may write a new sample if you don’t have appropriate or recent materials.
Be sure to carefully follow any requirements laid out in the application. If the application does not provide specific requirements, your sample should only be about 1-2 pages long, but you could also use an excerpt from a longer document you’ve written and specify that you are doing so. Your sample should be less than a year old to reflect your current writing abilities.
Online Portfolio or Personal Website
This blog post from HireDePaul can walk you through the process of choosing a site to host your portfolio, building your website and choosing which pieces to include. Aim for five to 12 pieces appropriate for your field, whether they are writing based, graphic based or a combination of both. For example, a journalism student may mostly include writing samples, while a public relations and advertising student may include a combination of writing and graphic samples applicable to their field.
The director of the College of Communication Internship Program, Michael Elias, is available to meet for one-on-one advising for application material development. To set up a meeting with Michael, please email him directly at melias@depaul.edu with your availability. You’re also welcome to email a rough draft and receive electronic feedback within 48 hours.
Additionally, Peer Career Coaches at DePaul’s Career Center are available to assist you with creating or improving your application materials. To set up a virtual drop-in appointment or email resume review, please visit the Career Center’s website.
