📌 How to Build a Standout Resume

A resume is more than a document—it's your personal pitch. Whether you're applying for a research position, an internship at a top company, or a competitive fellowship, your resume needs to highlight your value, skills, and experiences concisely and effectively.

💡 Fact: Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning each resume. Make those seconds count.

This guide breaks down:
✔ How to format your resume for maximum impact
✔ How to tailor your resume for different industries
✔ Key sections to include (and what to leave out)
✔ How to make your resume ATS-friendly

🚀 Before Diving In: Your Resume Must Be Tailored

If you're using the same resume for different roles, you’re missing the mark.

🔹 Each resume should be customized for the specific role, industry, and company you're applying to.
🔹 Your layout and style should match the industry (e.g., clean and structured for finance, more creative for marketing).
🔹 Use keywords from job descriptions to increase visibility in ATS systems.

Ask yourself:
✔ What does this company look for in candidates?
✔ Which of my experiences are most relevant?
✔ How can I quantify my impact in past roles?

📂 Essential Sections of a Research Resume

1️⃣ Contact Information (At the Top)

✔ Full Name
✔ Professional Email Address (avoid casual emails like cooldude123@email.com)
✔ Phone Number
✔ LinkedIn & ResearchGate/ORCID Profile (if applicable)

2️⃣ Education Section (Make It Stand Out)

📌 Format:

[Degree Name], [University Name]
📍 [Expected Graduation Date]
✔ Relevant Courses: [List 3-5 key courses relevant to research/internship]

✔ cGPA (if competitive)

📌 Example:

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), Queen’s University
📍 Expected May 2026
✔ Relevant Courses: Biostatistics, Human Biology, Epidemiology, Research Methods

✔ cGPA: 4.30/4.30

3️⃣ Professional Experience (If Any)

📌 This section is critical if you have prior research/work experience.

[Research Position Title], [Lab Name or Institution]
📍 [Dates of Experience]
✔ Assisted with [mention specific tasks, e.g., data collection, literature reviews, lab techniques]
✔ Used [specific software or techniques, e.g., R, SPSS, PCR, microscopy]
✔ Analyzed [type of data or research findings]

📌 Example:

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Neuroscience, Queen’s University
📍 Jan 2024 – Present
✔ Conducted systematic literature reviews on cognitive aging
✔ Assisted in data analysis using SPSS for ongoing research projects
✔ Collaborated with a research team to present findings in a lab meeting

🔹 No Research Experience? Replace this section with Projects or Independent Work (see below).

4️⃣ Independent Projects (For Those Without Professional Experience)

📌 Highlight 1-2 academic or non-academic projects that demonstrate research, analytical, or leadership skills.

This section is especially useful if you lack formal research or internship experience. It allows you to showcase coursework, independent initiatives, startups, non-profits, or side projects that demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical expertise.

✔ Academic Projects: Literature reviews, health policy analysis, lab experiments, data analysis reports
✔ Non-Academic Projects: Startups, non-profits, independent research, community initiatives, technical builds, coding projects

📌 Examples:

Academic Project Example

Health Equity Research Paper, Social Determinants of Health (HLTH 200)
📍 Fall 2023
✔ Conducted qualitative analysis on healthcare disparities
✔ Reviewed 20+ academic sources for a systematic literature review
✔ Presented findings on inequities in emergency room access

Startup/Entrepreneurial Project Example

Founder, Mental Health Awareness Initiative
📍 2023 – Present
✔ Established a student-run organization to provide accessible mental health resources
✔ Secured $5,000 in grant funding to develop educational materials and host workshops
✔ Partnered with local universities and non-profits to expand outreach efforts

Non-Profit/Community Initiative Example

Project Lead, Climate Change Advocacy Campaign
📍 Spring 2024
✔ Designed a data-driven awareness campaign on the impact of climate change on public health
✔ Organized community events and panel discussions with environmental experts
✔ Collaborated with student organizations and policy groups to drive action

📌 Why This Works:

• Highlights your ability to take initiative and lead projects

• Demonstrates problem-solving, research, and communication skills

• Shows real-world impact, even without formal work experience

🔹 Tip: Even if your project was self-initiated, include metrics or outcomes (e.g., grew social media following by 2,000+, raised $10,000 in funding, published a whitepaper, partnered with X organization). This helps quantify your impact and makes your experience stand out.

5️⃣ Leadership, Volunteering & Extracurriculars

📌 Highlight leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

✔ Mentorship & Teaching Roles – Peer tutoring, TA positions
✔ Volunteering & Community Involvement – Health advocacy groups, hospital work
✔ Student Clubs & Leadership – Executive positions in science/health organizations

📌 Example:

Vice President, Health Sciences Association
📍 Queen’s University, 2023 – Present
✔ Organized research mentorship programs for undergraduates
✔ Hosted seminars with faculty members on health sciences careers

6️⃣ Skills & Certifications (Keep It Focused & Relevant)

📌 Group your skills into key categories and include certifications where applicable to showcase your qualifications effectively.

✔ Technical & Analytical Skills

• Data Analysis & Programming: SPSS, R, Python, MATLAB, SQL, Excel

• Statistical & Machine Learning Tools: Regression Analysis, Data Visualization, Predictive Modeling

• Lab Techniques: PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, Cell Culturing, Western Blotting, Spectrophotometry

• Research & Writing: Systematic Literature Reviews, Grant Writing, Scientific Paper Composition

• Project & Workflow Management: Tableau, NVivo, Microsoft Project, LaTeX

✔ Certifications (If applicable, include official credentials that enhance your profile.)

• Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) (if applicable)

• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certification

• Data Science & Analytics Certificate (Google, Coursera, or equivalent)

• Laboratory Safety Training & Certification (Institution-Specific)

• Python for Data Science (IBM, edX, or similar provider)

📌 Why This Works:

• Skills are categorized for clarity, making it easier for recruiters to scan.

• Certifications add credibility and show formal training beyond coursework.

• Technical proficiencies are directly relevant to research, internships, and industry roles.

🔹 Tip: If you have multiple certifications, consider a separate "Certifications" section under "Skills & Certifications" to keep your resume structured.

⚠️ Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Too Long (More Than Two Pages) – Your resume is not a CV. Keep it concise and focused on recent and relevant experiences—this isn’t your life story.

🚫 Too Much Fluff – Every word should add value. Avoid filler phrases and unnecessary details. Get straight to the point and highlight measurable achievements.

🚫 Generic & Vague Language – Instead of “Assisted with research”, say “Conducted literature reviews on [topic] using [database]” or “Analyzed data sets in SPSS to identify [specific insight]”. Be specific.

🚫 Too Many Soft Skills – Show, don’t tell. Instead of listing “Strong communication skills”, demonstrate it with leadership roles, public speaking engagements, or research presentations. Prioritize technical skills that directly relate to the job or internship.

📌 Bottom Line: A resume is a highlight reel, not a full career timeline. Keep it relevant, results-driven, and tailored to the specific position.

📌 Best Resume Formatting Tips

✔ Use a Professional Font – Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12pt) for readability.

✔ Consistent Formatting – Keep headings bold and aligned, and use bullet points for clarity.

✔ Prioritize Key Sections – Your resume should be tailored to your strengths. If your technical skills or certifications are highly relevant (e.g., if applying for a data-heavy research role or a specialized industry internship), you can move the "Skills & Certifications" section to the top to immediately highlight your qualifications.

✔ Use Reverse Chronological Order – Always list your most recent experiences first, working backward.

✔ Keep It to One Page (Max Two for More Experience) – Hiring managers and professors scan resumes quickly. A concise, well-structured resume makes a stronger impression than one overloaded with unnecessary details.

✔ Quantify Your Achievements – Instead of "Assisted with research," say "Conducted literature reviews on [topic] using [database], improving project efficiency by 20%."

✔ Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) – Many organizations use ATS to filter resumes before a human sees them.
📌 How to optimize for ATS:

• Use industry keywords from the job posting

• Avoid graphics, images, or multiple columns (these can confuse ATS systems)

• Use a standard one-column layout for easy readability

✔ Always Save & Send as a PDF – This preserves formatting and ensures consistency across different devices.

📌 Bottom Line: Your resume should be structured to highlight what makes you stand out. If technical skills or certifications are your strongest asset, move them higher on the page for maximum visibility.

📌 Should You Use Word or Canva for Your Resume?

✅ Use Word (or Google Docs) for ATS-Friendly Resumes

• Best for: Research, corporate internships, industry roles, and any job that uses Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

• Why? Many large companies and research institutions use ATS to scan resumes for keywords. Word (or a Google Docs export to PDF) ensures proper formatting and keyword recognition.

• Formatting Tip: Stick to a simple one-column layout, use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), and avoid tables, images, and excessive formatting.

✅ Use Canva for Creative Roles or Personal Branding

• Best for: Marketing, graphic design, creative fields, or networking-focused resumes.

• Why? Canva allows for custom designs, colors, and layouts that make your resume stand out visually. However, many ATS systems struggle with Canva’s complex formatting, which may lead to your resume being rejected automatically.

• Workaround: If using Canva, create a simple, ATS-friendly version in Word or Google Docs as a backup for job applications.

📌 Bottom Line:

• For research & corporate roles → Use Word (or Google Docs) and export as PDF.

• For creative fields → Use Canva, but ensure you have an ATS-friendly version as well.

• If unsure → Default to Word. It ensures universal compatibility and higher success with job applications.