Resume Tips: Recent college grads and entry-level workers, this is for you.
By Gabrielle Maury | Refined Resumes LLC | https://www.refinedresumesllc.com
My memories of writing my first resume reflect a lot of confusion, anxiety, and frustration. Does this sound familiar? “Where do I even begin?” “How do I format it?” “How do I know what is relevant?” The cardinal rule is to ensure that your resume highlights your accomplishments in a polished way (which is easier said than done). These tips will help you write a resume that shines!
Heading:
Include your first name, middle initial, last name, email, phone number, and the city, state, and zip code you reside in. If you have a well developed LinkedIn page, feel free to include your profile page link. (Remember to customize your URL link in ‘Settings.’)
Profile Statement:
For more experienced candidates, focus on keywords and personal branding rather than a profile statement. Think about your attributes and how they align with what an employer is looking for. Are you a potent sales driver surpassing quotas through innovative selling techniques? Get specific and back up your claim. For entry-level candidates, focus on telling the company what you can do for them. How will your skillset benefit the company and vice versa?
Skills or Core Competencies:
There are two types of skills; soft and hard skills. Soft skills are more centered around personality traits, and hard skills are skills that you can prove you know how to do. It is preferable that you include hard skills in this section. Examples of hard skills: UX/UI Web Design, Pro Tools, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office. Examples of soft skills: interpersonal skills, communication, leadership, collaboration. If you lack hard skills, make sure your soft skills make an impact. Avoid being generic and match them with the job posting!
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Employment or Work History:
This is the most important section of your resume! This is where you get to go into detail about your previous roles. Focus on what you were able to accomplish in the role and what you did to accomplish that specified goal. What were the results or impact of something you did? Did you increase the efficiency of restocking inventory? How did you do it? It’s great to say what you accomplished and how, but try not to brag! Avoid arrogance! Example: Increased store revenues by 64% by employing one-on-one coaching with team members.
Education and Professional Development:
This section can be tricky. For those who are in college, have completed college, or have partially finished, do not include your high school. It is assumed that if you have ever attended college, you graduated high school. Include the name of the institution you attended, where it is located, your major or area of study, and the date of completion. Don’t forget to include any certifications you may have! If you have taken any relevant courses, include them under a “Professional Development” section.
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Accomplishments and awards:
This is your chance to show off a little bit. Did you increase sales in your region by 23%? Did you win a scholarship, grant, or award? Were you “employee of the month” for six months in a row? Yes? Put that here.
Affiliations:
This is a great place to list out any clubs, organizations, associations, etc., that you are a part of. If you are a member of a sorority or fraternity, honors society, industry-related organizations, include that! Be sure to include any positions held within the organization (president, treasurer, etc.), any campaigns that you lead, or other actions you took to benefit the organization in any way.
Volunteer Experience:
Volunteer experience is a fantastic way to show that you have empathy for others through your resume. If you have space, include your volunteer experiences. You never know if a potential employer supports the same causes you do!
Go Forth and Job Hunt!
Make sure your email and phone number are error-free so recruiters can contact you! AVOID SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS AT ALL COSTS! This is something that can make or break your job hunting process. Use these tips to create a stand-out resume. Remember to lead with confidence; YOU GOT THIS!
By Gabrielle Maury | Refined Resumes LLC | https://www.refinedresumesllc.com