Prepare your Resume and Get Ready for your Interview

Resume and Cover Letter Writing Workshops

Each academic year, the Career Development Services team at LAU offer a variety of workshops on topics such as resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and other career-related sessions. These workshops are delivered on both campuses or online, giving students and soon-to-be graduates the opportunity to sharpen their skills and prepare for their professional careers. 

1- Tips before you start

Tailor Your Resume
Customize your resume for each job you apply to. Focus on your skills and experiences that match the job description. This helps you stand out. 

Keep It Simple and Clear 
Avoid using overly designed templates. Many designs found online may look nice, but they might not pass the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or other AI-powered systems and thus prevent your resume from being seen. 

2- Presentation Tips

• Carefully proofread to eliminate spelling and grammar mistakes. 
• Use a clear and professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial 
• Keep the font size between 10 and 12 
• Ensure consistent formatting and alignment throughout the document 

3- Resume Sections

What to Include in Your Resume

Make sure your Resume contains the following information whenever applicable:

Contact Information

• Full Name 
• Address (City, Country) 
• Phone Number (Add country code if applying abroad) 
• Professional Email (e.g., firstname.lastname@lau.edu) 
• LinkedIn Profile URL 
• Nationality (if it’s relevant to the job or gives you an advantage) 

Education

• University Name and Location 
• Expected or Actual Graduation Date 
• Degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Engineering) 
• Minor (if applicable) 
• Honors or Distinction List (mention the semesters, if applicable) 
• GPA (only if 3.00 or above) 
• Scholarships earned (if applicable) 
• Exchange Semesters (if applicable) 

Experience

• Professional Experience: For each role, include your job title, company name and location, employment dates (month/year) and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements using action verbs.
• Internships & Training: List relevant internships with dates and a brief summary of tasks and skills gained. 

Volunteer Work & Extracurricular Involvement

• Mention activities that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and community involvement. 

Professional Development & Trainings

• List certifications, trainings, workshops, and membership in professional associations. 

Skills

• Computer and Technical Skills 
• Languages (if applicable) 

4- Resume Samples

Browse through some resume templates

5- Cover Letter

A cover letter is a document you may be asked to submit with your resume when applying for a job or internship. It should be tailored for each position as it includes “your answers” to the job description in addition to your general qualifications and skills. It can be written by answering the following:

• Header: Your personal information (name, phone number, email address, address)
• Date
• Employer’s Contact Information: Name, job title, company name, address of the person you are addressing the letter to (usually the HR department or HR director)
• Salutation: (i.e., Dear Mr. Haddad, Dear Hiring Manager)
• 1st paragraph: State who you are, including your major, university, and the position or opportunity you are applying for. You may also briefly mention where you found the opportunity
• 2nd paragraph: Why are you applying for this opportunity? Explain why you’re a strong candidate: Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications, and briefly explain how they match the job requirements.
• 3rd paragraph: How can you contribute to the success of the company, and how can you be of added value to the position based on your experiences, coursework, academic projects, technical skills, etc.
• Closing statement:  Thank the employer for their time, express your interest in hearing back and discussing your qualifications, and end with a professional closing (ie., Sincerely or Best regards).
• Signature

Tips for a Successful Interview

Before the Interview

• Gather as much information as possible such as: exact address, type of business, size, some key financial figures, key people, and the interviewer’s full name, major competitors in the local and international market, etc.
• Prepare a pen, a notepad and extra copies of your resume to take with you to the interview

At the Interview

• Arrive on time as arriving late, for whatever reason, always makes a negative impression
• Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake
• Don’t criticize past employers or colleagues
• What to wear: for men, a dark suit is always the best choice in a corporate setting with a white or soft blue shirt. A tie is also recommended. For women, dark suits (pants or skirts) are also a good choice. They can be worn with short or long sleeved blouses
• Be prepared to answer questions such as: Tell me about yourself; what are your strengths; what are your weaknesses; what do you know about our company; why do you want to work for our company; why are you interested in this position; how would your colleagues describe you; how would your boss describe you; how would you describe yourself; how would you describe your last job performance; what are your major accomplishments in your career; can you meet deadlines when you work under pressure; what are the activities that contribute to your personal development
• Be enthusiastic
• Show maturity and courtesy
• Be prepared to ask questions such as:
  • what are the short-term and long-term objectives you would like the recruited person to accomplish in this job?
  • what kind of training would I receive?
  • what are the most important skills required to perform this job?
  • can you describe a typical on-the-job day?
  • are there any problems to be faced in this position?
  • are there advancement opportunities in this position?
  • which employee appraisal system do you use to evaluate the employees in this position?
• Please note that these questions are used as guidelines and some of these questions may not be suitable for your interviewing situation

Closing the Interview

• Show your interest and enthusiasm to be part of the company’s team of employees
• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration
• You may ask the time frame within which you can expect to hear from the company