Your graduate school resume is often the first thing admissions teams access in your application, and we all know how important first impressions are. We asked our Fordham MSW students what tips they had to make a resume stand out. Here’s what they said:
Tips from Lexi!
Keep It Short & Sweet – Stick to 1 page. Focus on the experiences that really matter: academics, research, and leadership.
Show Off Your Research & Experience – Don’t forget to mention internships, volunteer work, and any cool research projects you’ve been part of.
Highlight Your Impact – Use action verbs and numbers to show how you made a difference. For example, I conducted a research project and shared my work at an opioid symposium my university was holding.
Showcase Your Skills – Include the skills that match your grad program, whether technical, analytical, or people skills.
Keep It Clean – Use a simple, easy-to-read layout with clear headings and consistent formatting.
Tips from Maggie!
I found it really helpful to have one or two friends proofread my resume and personal statement and provide feedback.
I try to keep the descriptors in my work experience section specific, using numbers when possible, sticking to three bullet points (except if the experience is particularly relevant to social work), and avoid regurgitating the same action verbs over and over.
Tips from Sahiba!
Lead with a Vision Statement – Start with a brief statement at the top that outlines your mission as a future social worker. This helps showcase your passion and professional goals immediately.
Tailor Your Resume to Social Work – Emphasize skills like advocacy, crisis intervention, cultural competency, and community outreach to align with the profession.
Professional & Volunteer Experience – Many social work skills are developed in unpaid roles, so be sure to include relevant volunteer work, leadership roles, and community involvement.
Incorporate Keywords from Fordham’s MSW Program – Review the program’s mission and curriculum, then integrate relevant language (e.g., social justice, strengths-based practice, trauma-informed care) to align your resume with their values.
Tips from Sofia!
1. Always proofread your resume and double-check to make sure that all information is up to date, accurate, and grammatically correct.
2. Maintain an organized format that is easy to read.
3. Keep it clear and concise. Be direct in highlighting your experiences and accomplishments. Avoid any unnecessary details.
4. If you have don’t have a lot of previous experiences or accomplishments, add a skills section at the top of your resume to highlight what you’re good at but try to avoid adding too much.
5. Avoid sending a long resume. Try to keep it at one page if possible (unless you have a lot of previous experiences).”
