Many students and recent graduates worry that they don’t have enough experience to create a compelling resume. However, don’t worry. There are many ways to emphasize your skills and experiences even if this is your first job.
What To Do Before Writing Your Resume
Before you even start to write your resume, there are a few steps you can take. Keep in mind that the goal of your resume is to show the employer that you are a strong candidate for the job, and that you will add value to the company.
To do this successfully, you need to know what potential employers are looking for. Start by researching job postings that interest you. Make a list of keywords you find in the job listings, such as frequently mentioned requirements or skills. You will want to focus on these in your resume to impress the employer.
Ask experienced professionals what they consider important when they make hiring decisions. Consider holding some informational interviews with people in your field to get a sense of what is most important for the kinds of jobs you’re looking at.
You can also read professional publications and websites related to your target industry. Immerse yourself in your chosen field and learn as much as you can. Once you know what is important to employers, you can target your resume to address those issues.
Ask experienced professionals what they consider important when they make hiring decisions. Consider holding some informational interviews with people in your field to get a sense of what is most important for the kinds of jobs you’re looking at.
You can also read professional publications and websites related to your target industry. Immerse yourself in your chosen field and learn as much as you can. Once you know what is important to employers, you can target your resume to address those issues.
Tips for Writing Your First Resume
1. Highlight education
If you are a student or recent student, your education is one of your greatest assets. Put the “Education” section of your resume towards the top of the page. Include not only the school you went to and the degree you received, but any other achievements.
2. Emphasize all related experience
You might have limited work experience, but you have plenty of other experiences you can draw on. Think about clubs you have participated in, internships you have held, and volunteer positions you have worked. All of these can be listed under “Related Experience” or a similar category.
3. Leave out what is not relevant
The key is to emphasize those things that demonstrate your value to the company and to leave out those things that don’t. For example, if you are looking to work in Information Systems, your programming internship will be important, but the fact that you have won awards for water skiing won't! Don't include hobbies or experiences unless they relate to the job.
4. Mention achievements
Beneath each experience, you can list some of the responsibilities you held in that job or position. However, go beyond simply saying what you did. List any achievements that prove you can add value to an organization. For example, perhaps you won “Employee of the Month” at work. Or maybe you created a new filing system that increased efficiency at an office. Include any examples of times you added value to a company or achieved something.
5. Use keywords
Look back at the list of keywords you generated of common skills and requirements for the jobs you are applying for. Try to use some of these keywords throughout your resume. This will show the hiring manager, at a glance, that you are a good fit for the job.
6. Look at examples
Especially when writing your first resume, it’s a good idea to look at resume examples. They can help you decide how to format your resume, and what kind of information to include. Make sure to change any sample resume to include information that is specific to you, and to the job you are applying for. Check out these student resume examples, and these other resume examples.
7. Keep it short
Especially if this is your first resume, you might not have a lot of information to include. Your resume should not be longer than one page. Aim to fill the whole page, while still having a good amount of white space in the margins.
8. Edit, edit, edit
Because employers get so many job applications, something small like a typo could cost you a job. Be sure to thoroughly proofread your resume before sending it to an employer. Read it for any spelling and grammar errors, as well as any inconsistencies in format (such as using different styles of bullet points). Ask a friend or family member, or a career services counselor, to also look at it for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment