You've served your time in college, putting all your efforts into
school and only have a few internships or weekend jobs under your belt.
As you approach all the pomp and circumstance of graduation, you panic,
realizing that you don't have much to put down on a resume. What should
you do?
Believe it or not, you do have enough to develop a
resume. You will want to start this critical document by directly
emphasizing your objective such as "A career in the field of Human
Resources." This is especially important if you are targeting a specific
career path.
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Next, you will want to "show off" your degree to
your prospective employer. If this is your first job out of school, your
education section is an essential element and will be a decisive factor
in the hiring selection process. Include your G.P.A. if it is worth
bragging about.
The axis of your resume is the Work Experience
section. Naturally, if you went straight from high school to college,
you will have less work experience than others who went directly into
the workforce. All hope is not lost. You may have to dig deep to draw
out experience. Remember, it is the way that you present the information
and the quality that counts, not the quantity that you present.
One
strategy you can use is to stress your relevant skills and personality.
For example, if you were a Peer Minister for your university, write how
you developed relationships with the students in the resident halls. Is
there a crisis you helped to solve while in that role? One student
talked another out of committing suicide by using negotiation skills.
The manner in which you show these accomplishments on your resume can
present you as an efficient problem-solver.
How about that
position performing clerical work in one of the college administrative
offices? Did you use customer service skills that could benefit your
prospective employer? If you worked with the soccer team, did you help
to promote the groups' events by creating fliers etc.? What promotion
techniques did you use? This would be relevant if you are applying for a
marketing position.
Do not count out your summer work,
internships, and volunteer experience at church or charities. Use a work
sheet to take inventory of the skills you used in all these capacities.
Even though unpaid, it is the experience that counts! You may be
surprised to uncover the skills you have acquired mowing the lawn and
working (entrepreneur/self-starter) or at fast-food restaurants
(multitasking). Do not down-play your experience because you do not have
a fancy title. The heart of your résumé is the skills you have acquired
that can be transferred to subsequent jobs.
You should not make
light of your outstanding academic background. Your ability to do well
in school with a variety of courses show you can be a fast learner for
the organization. Highlight your successes in the academic courses that
relate to the job requirements you are applying for. Did you make the
Deans List every year? Were you the commencement speaker? Make sure you
mention these achievements as selling points on your resume.
Include
an Honors section where you list any awards, memberships in honorary
societies, and special awards. An Activities section should show your
activity in various organizations or clubs during your time in college.
Did you hold a leadership role? Including these roles show your
prospective employment your involvement and dedication to these groups.
Show
your enthusiasm in your cover letter. Usually, employers like the can
do attitude that young people bring. While you want to sell yourself and
appear confident, you don't want to exude arrogance. Emphasize your
willingness to learn and go the extra mile.
Everyone deserves a
chance to be hired. Think of the resume as a marketing tool and you as
the product. Sell, Sell, Sell your skills. If you market well enough,
someone will make the purchase. You may not start where you want to be
but you don't have to stay where you started. Remain confident and
upbeat. If you do not get a response from your resume, try and try and
try again.
