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Elliott School of
International Affairs

 

Application Materials

Professional Documents

Resumes and cover letters are critical documents in the employment search. As such, we have developed guidelines to help you write your resumes, cover letters, and other professional documents. 

  Professional Document Guidelines 

  • Private Sector Resume Guidelines
  • Federal Resume Guidelines
  • CV Writing Guidelines
  • Cover Letter Guidelines
  • Professional References Document & Guidelines
  • Thank You Notes Guidelines
  • Composing Appreciative Emails and DM (Direct Message) Tips
  • Essay, Statement of Interest, and Writing Sample Guidelines

Explore the Document Guidelines 

  SkillsFirst 

Career development platform designed to help students translate their academic and extracurricular experiences into professional opportunities. Only available to current GW students.

  • Resumes: Student-authored artifacts + quality scores
  • Cover Letters: Role-fit analysis + structured feedback
  • Pitches: Delivery and focus scoring
  • LinkedIn: Profile optimization + quality scores

How to access SkillsFirst:

  1. Sign in to GW Career Connect. Use your regular GW credentials — no separate account or password is needed.
  2. Click “Career” in the top navigation. The Career menu is in the navigation bar at the top of Career Connect.
  3. Select “SkillsFirst”. You will be signed in automatically and land on your SkillsFirst dashboard.
  4. Explore the introductory tutorials. From your dashboard, check out the two videos: How to Start and Explore Your Career Scores.

Quick Start Guide

Tip: Bookmark your SkillsFirst dashboard for quick access in the future!

  Handshake Resume Optimizer

More than just another resume tool, Resume Optimizer is built directly into Handshake, the same platform that 1M+ employers use to hire for internships, full and part-time jobs, and gig work. So there's no gap between finishing your resume and starting to apply.

  • Applies ATS (applicant tracking system) formatting automatically
  • Tailors your resume to your strengths
  • Explains every change, in plain language
  • Keeps your information private
  • Improves your job recommendations

How to access Resume Optimizer

  1. Sign in to Handshake.
  2. Click Jobs in the left navigation.
  3. Select Optimize resume located in the upper-left corner, to the right of Saved.
  4. Upload your resume and get started!

PhD Application Guidance

Are you considering pursuing a Ph.D. in international affairs? In this video, Elliott School faculty members Min Kim and Nicholas Anderson discuss the motivations for pursuing a Ph.D. and provide an overview of what to expect throughout the application process. They also share insights into the experience of being in a Ph.D. program, potential career pathways after completing the degree, and the advantages and challenges of doctoral study in international affairs.

Handshake Video: "So, You Want to Get a PhD in International Affairs?"

Additional Tips for Exploring and Applying to PhD Programs

  Scheduling 

Schedule a Resume or Cover Letter Appointment in Handshake