In the heat of a job search, one uses resumes, cover letters, elevator pitches, references and interviews to reveal who one is, what type of work one can perform and, most importantly, how one will add value to a prospective company.
Many applicants to the most selective university programs share high grades, high test scores, solid recommendations and generous doses of community service and volunteer activities. Yet, if they want to set themselves apart from the pool of exceptional students, a significant research experience in STEM or the social sciences helps.