STEPS TO APPLY
FOR A RESIDENT
ADVISOR/HEAD
RESIDENT
POSITION
1) Attend an Information Session
hosted by Residential
Education
2) Fill out the online application
by January 11th! Be sure to
include the following materials
a. Resume & cover letter
b. Essay
c. References
3) Interview—February 1st &
2nd
How can the Vanderbilt Career Center help?
RESUME & COVER LETTER…
Need to create a resume or cover letter?
Go to www.vanderbilt.edu/career and click on Online Resources. From here you will
select Optimal Resume. Here you will create an account and select a template for you to
plug in your information and create a resume and/or cover letter with clean formatting.
 If you are a first-year student, you might want to take advantage of First-Year
Student Resident Advisor Resume by clicking Browse Section Sets after clicking
Create New Resume. This template is laid out so that you can include education and
leadership from high school as well as college.
Want to look at a strong sample resume & cover letter?
Review online samples approved by Residential Education and the Vanderbilt Career
Center that are targeted to the RA Position Description for guidance on what to include.
Go to www.vanderbilt.edu/career and select Resume Samples or Cover Letter Samples
in the Student Quick Links box. You will be directed to a page where you can see:
 First-Year Student Resident Advisor Applicant Sample Resume
 Upper-Class Resident Advisor Applicant Sample Resume
 Resident Advisor Sample Cover Letter
*Please note that these samples are available to provide guidelines. Highlight
your own experiences in a format that speaks to the requirements of the job.
Need feedback on your resume or cover letter?
Review our online Resume Checklist at www.vanderbilt.edu/career and then call (615)322-2750 to schedule a 20 minute appointment during these time frames: Monday,
Tuesday, or Friday from 2-4pm.
ESSAY…
Need help writing the essay?
Writing Studio Resources can assist: Go to: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/writing/ to
schedule a one-on-one appointment with trained consultants from the Writing Studio.
REFERENCES…
Ask Professors, Previous Supervisors, or Advisors if you can list them as your reference
on your application to be an RA. It is often advised that you include the job description
and your resume in your request of these individuals.
INTERVIEW…
Want to practice in your own dorm room? Check out Optimal Interview, a
program that lets students practice interviewing skills with real-to-life, multi-media
interview scenarios. Go to www.vanderbilt.edu/career and select Online Resources
where you will find Optimal Interview.
1. Create an account if you do not already have one.
2. Select Create New Interview under the Interview section (second row).
3. Enter an interview name and select Start Interview.
4. Under “Select Interview Type”, choose Resident Advisor Interview,
Length/Format (you can select up to 10 questions), and Interviewer then click
“Continue Interview” on the bottom of the page.
5. Adjust the Camera and Microphone.
6. Click Allow when Adobe Flash Player settings window displays.
7. You are now ready to begin your interview.
Want to receive extra guidance in a workshop format? Attend a workshop
provided by the Vanderbilt Career Center on “Presenting your best self for a
leadership position” for guidance on interviewing – These will be provided on
Feb. 1st from 8:30-9:30pm in The Commons Multi-Purpose Room.