Resumes and Interviews

Job Search Preparation

Finding a job can be tough - let us help! With employers receiving hundreds of resumes for each position, it is important to prepare your resume and cover letter to stand out in the paper crowd. The Office of Career Services can help with your resume, cover letter, interview skills, reference list, and follow-up. Don’t make the job search process harder than it has to be.

Resumes, Cover Letters, and References

With employers receiving a high number of applications for each position, it is important to prepare your resume to stand out in the paper crowd. On average, employers spend less than 30 seconds looking at your resume. It’s essential to highlight your soft skills, experience, and education to get to that next step—the interview.

Resumes

Your resume is sometimes the first contact you have with employers. It needs to be organized, show attention to detail, and get the employer’s attention. Here are some tips to get you to the top of the paper stack.

Sample Functional Resume

Sample Chronological Resume

Cover Letters

Cover letters can be a challenge if you’re not sure what the employer is looking for. Cover letters typically tell your story and show more of your personality than a resume. This is an opportunity for you to match your skills with the job description and let the employer know you are the right fit for the job!

Cover Letter Sample

References

References are a key part of your application and should not be left behind. References should be individuals who can comment on your work ethic, skills, and education. 

Reference Sample 

Interviews

Hiration is a career readiness platform designed to support resume building, interview preparation, and overall job search success.

With Hiration, students can:

• Build and tailor resumes to specific jobs or industries
• Upload existing resumes for instant, detailed feedback
• Create and modify cover letters aligned to job postings
• Optimize LinkedIn profiles for networking and recruiter visibility
• Practice mock interviews with AI-driven feedback based on real roles

One of the biggest benefits is that students can access Hiration 24/7. This allows them to get immediate support rather than waiting for an appointment—though Career Services appointments are still always available and encouraged. Hiration is meant to complement, not replace, one-on-one support.

How students log in:

1. Visit: Home | Marion Technical College
2. Click Sign Up or Log In
3. Use their school email address to create an account

Once logged in, students can customize resumes, cover letters, and mock interviews directly to the jobs they are applying for, helping them feel more confident and prepared throughout the job search process.