A Few Things That Are Unique to Nelnet

Before we get into general best practices, here are a couple of things worth knowing about how our application process works.

A resume isn't required — but recommended.

At Nelnet, you can apply without attaching a resume. You're welcome to fill in your work experience, education, and skills manually in Workday. That said, attaching a resume speeds up the process and gives our recruiters the most complete picture of who you are.

Read the full job description before you apply.

Some roles have specific requirements (like a cover letter or work samples) and won't be reviewed without them. A quick read-through before you apply makes sure you know exactly what's needed.

Building a Strong Resume

Think of your resume less as a list of jobs and more as a story of your experience. What have you done, what did it accomplish, and what does it say about who you are as a professional? Those are the questions a strong resume answers.

At the end of the day, we’re most interested in you. Your experiences, your perspective, and the impact you’ve made. Your resume is just the starting point.

Tailor it to the role.

Highlight the experience, skills, and accomplishments most relevant to the position you're applying for. Aligning your background to the role helps us better understand your fit, making it easier for your application to stand out. Read the job description carefully and use it as a guide for what to highlight.

Focus on impact, not just responsibilities.

Go beyond describing what you wereresponsible for, and share what you achieved. Wherever possible, include results, outcomes, or examples that demonstrate your contributions. "Managed a customer service team" tells us what you did. "Managed a customer service team of 12 and improved customer satisfaction scores by 18%" tells us what you achieved. Numbers and specifics make your experience tangible and memorable.

Keep it clean and readable.

A cluttered resume is hard to scan — and recruiters review a lot of them. Use clear formatting, consistent fonts, and enough white space to make it easy to read. One to two pages is typically the right length, depending on your experience level.

Be specific about your skills and experience.

Call out tools, systems, or technical skills where applicable, and provide context for how you've used them. The more specific you are, the clearer the picture you give our recruiters.

Don't skip the basics.

Make sure your contact information is current, your employment dates are accurate, and your document is free of typos and grammatical errors. Small details matter. They signal the care and attention you'll bring to your work.

Use AI thoughtfully.

AI tools can be helpful for organizing and refining your resume — but make sure the final content reflects your authentic experience, voice, and accomplishments. We want to hear from you, not a polished version of something that isn't quite true.

Writing a Strong Cover Letter

A cover letter isn’t always required. But when it is, it matters. Some Nelnet roles specifically require a cover letter and won’t be reviewed without one, so always check the job description before you apply. And when you do have the opportunity to include one, use it well.

Don't just repeat your resume.

Your cover letter should add something your resume doesn't. Use it to explain why you're interested in this specific role at this specific company, and how your background makes you a strong fit. It's your chance to speak in your own voice, and we want to hear it.

Be specific to Nelnet.

Generic cover letters are easy to spot. Take the time to explain what draws you to Nelnet specifically — whether it's our culture, our mission, the work we do, or something you've read or heard about us. Showing that you've done your homework goes a long way.

Keep it concise.

A cover letter doesn't need to be long — three to four short paragraphs is plenty. Lead with why you're interested, speak to a couple of relevant experiences, and close with a clear expression of enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Write like a human.

This isn't the place for stiff, formal language. Write the way you'd speak in a professional conversation — clear, direct, and genuine. If it sounds like something you'd never actually say out loud, rewrite it.

A Few Things to Avoid

Proofread everything. Spelling and grammar errors are the most common reason strong candidates get overlooked. Avoid generic language and show us instead of telling us. And always be honest — authenticity goes further than embellishment every time.

Ready to Apply?

You've got what it takes. Now go show us what you've got.

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