Beyond the Bench series focuses on resume strengthening
Posted on February 12, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
As part of the Beyond the Bench: Mapping Your Career DNA professional development series, the Office of Research Education and Training, in ongoing partnership with Career Development at the University of South Alabama, hosted an engaging and interactive session focused on helping students “unmask their potential” and strengthen their resumes.
During the presentation, Adam Barnes, assistant director of career development, shared
practical strategies for creating resumes that stand out to multiple audiences, including
applicant tracking systems (ATS), AI screening tools, and human reviewers. He explained
how ATS software interprets resumes and emphasized the importance of thoughtful formatting,
keyword alignment, and clarity to ensure resumes are effectively read and evaluated.
Barnes highlighted several best practices for resume development, including avoiding first-person (“I”) statements, leading bullet points with strong action verbs, and fully utilizing available space on the page. He reminded students that a resume is valuable real estate and encouraged them to make the most of it to showcase their skills and experiences. He also recommended submitting resumes as PDFs when possible to maintain consistent formatting.
In addition to resume structure and content, Barnes emphasized the importance of networking in the job search and encouraged students to connect with alumni on LinkedIn. He discussed how building professional relationships and engaging in informational conversations can complement a strong resume and create meaningful career opportunities.
The session also included hands-on small-group activities in which students reviewed a sample resume to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Participants examined a job description and discussed how well their own resumes aligned with employer expectations, gaining insight into how to tailor application materials for specific positions.
This presentation reflects the ongoing collaboration between the Office of Research Education and Training and the Office of Career Development to deliver practical, career-focused programming throughout the Beyond the Bench series.
Save the Date: Next Beyond the Bench Event
Thursday, Feb. 26
3:30 p.m.
First-Floor Auditorium, MSB
Join us for an exciting faculty panel discussion on careers in academia, where faculty members will share their unique pathways, pivotal career moments, and lessons learned along the way. This interactive session will give students the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives, ask questions, and gain honest insight into what an academic career can look like beyond graduate school.