Crafting a strong, professional resume is one of the first steps toward landing your dream opportunity—whether that’s a graduate program, clinical fellowship, externship, or first job. During National NSSLHA’s Office Hours: Resume Workshop, our panel of experts shared practical tips for creating a resume that highlights your unique skills, experiences, and potential as a future audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
Watch the full event here:
1. Sample Resume Overview
The event began with a walk-through of a sample resume to help students visualize how to organize and present their experiences. Panelists emphasized clarity, consistency, and purpose—each section of your resume should help tell your story as a future CSD professional.
Key takeaways:
- Start with the basics. Include your name, contact information, and education clearly at the top.
- Organize sections intentionally. Common sections include Education, Clinical Experience, Work Experience, Research, Leadership, and Volunteer Activities.
- Keep it concise. Aim for one page if you’re a student or early-career professional.
- Prioritize readability. Use consistent formatting, alignment, and spacing. Make it easy for reviewers to scan quickly.
- Be selective. Only include experiences that align with your goals in speech-language pathology or audiology.
Helpful resources:
- Resume Writing Strategies (ASHA)
- How to Write a CV (ASHA)
- Build a Resume That Tells Your Story (NSSLHA Blog)
2. Resume Fundamentals
After reviewing the sample resume, the panelists explored the “why” behind good structure and formatting. A strong resume not only lists what you’ve done—it shows how your experiences connect to your professional goals.
Key takeaways:
- Tailor your resume for your audience. Whether applying to graduate programs, CF positions, or externships, highlight the experiences that best match that setting.
- Show both competence and compassion. Employers and programs value empathy, teamwork, and professionalism alongside clinical skill.
- Focus on outcomes. Instead of listing duties, describe results and impacts—what changed because of your work or involvement?
- Check for consistency. Keep verb tenses, fonts, and headings uniform across your document.
Helpful resources:
3. Resume Content
Once your format is set, focus on what to include—and how to tailor it for each opportunity.
Tips for strong content:
- Target your audience. Read the job description or program page carefully and use similar terminology. This helps your resume align with what reviewers are looking for.
- Highlight relevant skills and achievements. Clinical experiences, leadership roles, research, and volunteer work all help demonstrate your readiness.
- Include measurable impact. For example: “Led small-group therapy sessions for 6 preschoolers with articulation disorders.”
- Use action verbs. Start bullet points with words like facilitated, implemented, assessed, or collaborated to make your experience sound active and clear.
- Proofread carefully. Attention to detail shows professionalism.
Panelists also reminded students to pair their resume with a well-written cover letter that provides context for your experiences and explains why you’re the right fit.
Helpful resources:
- Decoding Job Descriptions (ASHA)
- ASHA Resume Builder (login required)
- General Advice for Job Seekers (AAA)
- SAA Career Resources
- 6 Tips for a Great Cover Letter (ASHA)
4. Career Stages
Your resume should evolve as you move through different stages of your education and career. Panelists encouraged students to focus on gaining experience and demonstrating growth at every step.
Tips by stage:
- Undergraduates: Get involved early! Volunteer, participate in research, or take on leadership roles to build transferable skills and show initiative.
- Graduate students: During externships, focus on professionalism, adaptability, and openness to feedback—qualities supervisors value highly.
- Career changers or those without direct CSD experience: Highlight communication, teamwork, and organization skills that demonstrate your potential to succeed in clinical or academic settings.
Helpful resources:
5. Other Questions
The panel wrapped up by answering student questions—ranging from formatting to experience gaps to how to stand out as a new graduate.
Highlights from the discussion:
- Be honest and confident. Don’t exaggerate experiences—but do explain your growth and goals.
- Include non-traditional experiences. Work in other industries, community involvement, or caregiving roles can show valuable transferable skills.
- Keep updating your resume. Treat it as a living document—revise it after every new course, clinical rotation, or leadership experience.
- Seek feedback. Ask a mentor or professor to review your resume for clarity, focus, and professionalism.
Ready to Get Started?
Your resume is your opportunity to show who you are and where you’re headed. Use the strategies and resources shared during this Office Hours session to build a document that reflects your skills, values, and passion for helping others communicate.