Science Career Centre: Advising & Resources

Start by creating a master resume that includes all of your experiences, skills, qualifications, accomplishments, projects, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities (if available). Think of it as your personal “career inventory” that you update as you grow. This version is just for you and can be as messy or clean as you like!

When you’re ready to apply for a job, pull from your master resume to build a targeted version. Focus on the experiences and skills that best match the role and include keywords from the job posting to show employers that you’re a strong fit. 

Tip 1: 1 Page Only! Undergraduate student resumes should never be longer than 1 page. You may have more experience than what fits onto 1 page, but be sure to include only relevant information that shows the employers why you are qualified for this position, not every position. 

Tip 2: Include strong accomplishment-based statements using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Not Impactful: “Helped in a Research Study”
• Impactful: “Supported a research team in designing and executing analytical studies using quasi-experimental methods, delivering detailed reports that informed data-driven conclusions.”

Tip 3: Avoid tables, text boxes, heavy graphics, pictures, and icons. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human ever sees them, and these elements can confuse or block the software entirely. If your resume feels too simple, you're probably doing it right!

View the Science Career Centre Resume Template Here

View the Science Career Centre Targeting Tip Sheet Here

Keep your cover letter to 1 page, using the same header and font as your resume (they should look like matching documents!) and organize it into 3-4 paragraphs, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Focus on how your skills, experiences, and qualifications can contribute to the organization and support its goals. 

Tip 1: Remember to always use business letter formatting, having a look at our template below. 

Tip 2: Don’t forget to include the “Re: Job Title / Job ID” and employer information, this is how employers know who and what you are applying to.

Tip 3: The job posting is your best friend. Each cover letter needs to be written in direct response to the employer, not just a general letter expressing your skills. 

View the Science Career Centre Cover Letter Template Here

The best way to feel comfortable and confident in an interview is to prepare in advance. Review the job posting, including any available information about the company, and prepare for common questions you may be asked. Practice your responses to help build confidence and plan out answer structure, either on your own or with a friend, family member, or career advisor. By thinking through your answers and practicing what you want to say ahead of time, you’ll feel more prepared and able to respond clearly during the interview.

Tip 1: Verbalize your practice answers.! You may have the best prepared answer in your mind, but it often comes out differently when you try to speak it for the first time. Verbalizing your practice helps your memory as well!  

Tip 2: Use AI to your advantage. Many AI platforms can help you predict potential questions or themes you may be asked about in an interview. Put the job posting into the platform and ask it to generate some targeted sample questions for you to practice that are in alignment with the key competencies of the role.  

Tip 3: Don’t try to memorize your practice answers verbatim, it will only come off as unnatural during the interview process. Instead of word for word, try to memorize key themes or points for each question. That way, you can connect the dots naturally between the points when answering the question in real time.  

1. Tell me about yourself. 
2. What are you interested you about this role? 
3. What do you know about our organization? 
4. Can you walk me through your resume and highlight the most relevant experiences?   
5. What are your top 3 strengths? 
6. What would you say is your biggest weaknesses? 
7. Can you tell me about a time you collaborated with a group? What was the project you worked on, what was your role, and what was the result? 
8. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it. 
9. How do you handle stress or pressure? 
10. Describe a time you worked with a difficult teammate. What happened and how did you handle it? 
11. How do you handle feedback or criticism? 
12. Tell me about a time you took initiative. 
13. What are your career goals after graduation? 
14. What skills or experiences have you gained from your education that would help you in this role? 
15. Describe a time you had to learn something quickly. How did you approach it? 
16. How do you stay organized when you’re balancing multiple deadlines or responsibilities? 
17. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it? 
18. Do you prefer working independently or in a team setting? Why? 
19. Why should we hire you over other candidates? 

Use multiple job boards to explore current openings and stay aware of what employers are hiring. Sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Google Jobs, ECO Canada, and Workopolis are helpful starting points, especially when you filter by “date posted” to focus on newer listings. When applying through job boards, it’s important to use a targeted resume that is tailored to each job posting rather than a generic version. 

Company websites are another key strategy, as many employers post jobs directly on their own career pages instead of third-party sites. Creating a list of target employers, following them on LinkedIn or social media, and checking their websites regularly or setting job alerts can help you stay informed. It’s also helpful to stay open to entry-level or alternative roles that can provide a pathway into your desired organization.

• What matters most to you in a career? Job stability, creativity, helping others, financial growth, work-life balance? 
• Where and how do you want to work? When evaluating a job or industry, consider how well it aligns with your personal priorities, values, and lifestyle preferences to ensure it truly suits you.
• Know yourself. The first step in planning your career is to know what you value, your interests and the things you’re good at. It's time to get to know yourself. Take one or more of the quizzes with Alberta ALIS to help plan your career path. 
  • Suggested Quizzes in ALIS: Interests Exercise, Abilities Exercise, Core Skills Exercise, Work Values Quiz

• Search for jobs that interest you – Check out this site where careers are sorted into interested. 
• Connect with professionals working in careers that interest you, using LinkedIn or your personal network, and learn about the key skills needed for that career option
• Informational Interviews help you learn about professionals and their experiences, challenges, and advice. This can give you real-world insights that go beyond online research. Learn about the informational interview with Alberta ALIS.

• Make a list of the top 5-10 industry or career relevant skills you’ve discovered in your research
• Identify your skills that align with the skills and experiences needed in your preferred industry or career
• What are you missing? Consider and explore any additional training, education, or experience might help you reach your goal

Tip 1: Don’t rely on one method - Use a mix of job boards, networking, and volunteering. Different opportunities are posted in different places, so using more than one strategy increases your chances. 

Tip 2: Don’t count yourself out. Job descriptions are usually a wish list. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, you may still be a strong fit for the position. What’s the worst thing that can happen if you apply.

Tip 3: Protect your information! Never send personal documents like your SIN, passport, banking info, or licence. Only share a resume, cover letter, and transcript if requested.