Application materials are how you present your experiences, skills, and interests to employers. They help communicate not only what you have done, but also how your background connects to the needs of a role or organization.
Strong application materials help you tell your professional story and demonstrate your fit for an opportunity. They give employers insight into how you approach problems, contribute to teams, and apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.
For RPI students and alumni, application materials often highlight:
- academic and technical projects
- internships and research experiences
- leadership roles and campus involvement
- technical skills and tools
- problem-solving and collaboration
Developing these materials thoughtfully can help employers understand what you bring to their team and why you are interested in their organization.
Key Application Materials
Most job and internship applications include several core materials. Each one plays a different role in presenting your qualifications.
A résumé provides a concise overview of your experiences, skills, and accomplishments.
It highlights your background through sections such as education, experience, projects, research, and technical skills.
Explore resources on resume structure, formatting, and writing strong experience descriptions.
Visit the Resume Resources Page
A cover letter allows you to explain why you are interested in a specific role or organization and how your experiences align with the position.
While a résumé lists your experiences, a cover letter helps connect those experiences to the needs of the employer.
Explore resources, examples, and tips for writing strong cover letters.
Visit the Cover Letter Resources Page
Portfolios provide examples of your work and are common in fields where employers want to see projects or creative output.
Portfolios may include:
- architecture or design work
- writing samples or research
- engineering or technical projects
- GitHub repositories or coding projects
- data analysis or visualization work
Explore resources on building and presenting a portfolio.
Visit the Portfolio Resources Page
Telling Your Story
Effective application materials do more than list experiences—they help you craft a clear narrative about your interests, skills, and goals.
Consider how your materials communicate:
- the problems you enjoy solving
- the skills and tools you have developed
- the environments where you thrive
- the impact of your work
Together, your résumé, cover letter, and portfolio should help employers understand who you are as a candidate and how you can contribute to their organization.
Get Feedback from CCPD
Developing strong application materials often benefits from review and feedback.
CCPD staff are available to help students and alumni:
- review resumes and cover letters
- provide feedback on portfolio materials
- discuss how to tailor materials for specific roles or industries
- strengthen the way you communicate your experiences
You can receive feedback through:
- CCPD Drop-In Hours
- Scheduled Appointments
- Email Review
To request feedback or ask questions, contact: ccpd@rpi.edu
