Click here to view our upcoming workshops.

Purpose of This Guide 

This guide supports Seton Hall University students in developing professional documents that reflect the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies. Resumes, cover letters and references should clearly communicate skills, experiences and values that employers seek across industries.

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

This guide aligns with the following NACE competencies:
• Communication
• Professionalism
• Career & Self-Development
• Teamwork
• Critical Thinking
• Leadership
• Equity & Inclusion
• Technology

Resume

A resume is a targeted summary of your education, experience and skills. Its purpose is to secure an interview by demonstrating your readiness for professional opportunities.

• NACE Alignment: »

  • Communication: Clear, concise writing and organization
  • Professionalism: Appropriate formatting and accuracy
  • Career & Self-Development: Demonstrated growth through experiences
  • Technology: Use of digital tools and platforms

• When to Use: »

  • Applying for internships, jobs or on-campus roles
  • Uploading documents to 12twenty

• Common Mistakes: »

  • Listing duties instead of accomplishments
  • Using one resume for every opportunity

Cover Letter

A cover letter connects your experiences to a specific role and employer. It explains your motivation and demonstrates fit.

• NACE Alignment: »

  • Communication: Professional tone and persuasive writing
  • Career & Self-Development: Articulation of goals
  • Critical Thinking: Connecting skills to employer needs

• When to Use: »

  • When required by employers
  • For internships, jobs, fellowships or graduate programs

• Common Mistakes: »
  • Repeating the resume
  • Writing generic letters

References

A references page lists professionals who can speak to your skills, work ethic and character.

• NACE Alignment: »

  • Professionalism: Appropriate selection and preparation of references
  • Teamwork & Leadership: Demonstrated through professional relationships

• When to Use: »

  • When requested by employers

• Common Mistakes: »
  • Not asking permission
  • Using personal references

Career Center Support

The Career Center partners with students to support career readiness, experiential learning and post-graduate success. Students are encouraged to schedule advising appointments, tailor documents for each opportunity and reflect on NACE competencies as they prepare professional materials.

Using Career Center Platforms: 12twenty and VMock

Seton Hall University students are expected to actively use Career Center platforms to support their career readiness and professional development. Your resume, cover letter and references should be created, uploaded and refined using the tools below.

12twenty Platform Alignment:
• Upload finalized resumes, cover letters and references for internship, job and on-campus employment applications
• Apply for opportunities, register for career fairs and schedule Career Center appointments
• Maintain an updated professional profile that reflects your skills, experiences and career interests

VMock Resume Platform Alignment:
• Upload resumes to receive instant, AI-powered feedback aligned with industry standards
• Improve formatting, clarity and impact based on VMock recommendations
• Strengthen alignment with NACE Career Readiness Competencies through measurable resume improvements

NACE Competency Connections:
• Technology: Effective use of career platforms and digital tools
• Career & Self-Development: Iterative improvement through feedback and reflection
• Professionalism: Maintaining accurate, polished and up-to-date documents

Students are encouraged to use VMock prior to scheduling a Career Center resume review and to ensure all final application materials are uploaded to 12twenty.

VMock is an AI-powered platform giving students instant personalized feedback to help strengthen their resumes. Students can access VMock through their PirateNet account.

Call (973) 761-9355, email [email protected] or stop by Bayley Hall to schedule a resume review.