According to Ladders Inc.’s Eye-Tracking Study, recruiters only give a résumé their initial 7.4 seconds of attention. This why creating an attention getting resume is so important especially for those in college with limited work history. Here are some tips from a former corporate recruiter if you are still in college and trying to create the best resume.
Tailor your resume
Tailoring your resume means customizing it to each specific job you apply for, highlighting the skills, experiences, and qualifications that are most relevant to the position. This can help increase the chances of your resume getting noticed by the employer and making it to the next stage of the hiring process. To tailor your resume, research the job you’re applying for and incorporate keywords and phrases from the job description into your resume. Also, highlight your experiences that align with the requirements listed in the job description and highlight your achievements that demonstrate your abilities to perform the tasks described. By tailoring your resume, you can show the employer that you are a strong fit for the role and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Highlight your education:
Highlighting your education is an important aspect of creating a strong resume. In this section, you should include information about the schools you have attended, the degrees you have earned or are pursuing, and any relevant coursework or academic achievements. Here are some tips for highlighting your education on your resume:
- List the most recent degree first and work backwards.
- Include the name of the school, its location, and the dates of attendance.
- List any relevant coursework that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field.
- Include any academic honors, awards, or scholarships you have received.
- If you are still in college and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, consider including it on your resume.
Remember, the education section should be concise and focused on the information that is most relevant to the job you’re applying for. By highlighting your education, you can demonstrate your commitment to learning and show that you have the knowledge and skills to perform well in the role.
Show your skills:
Showing your skills is an important part of creating a strong and effective resume. This section should highlight your transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, as well as any technical skills or software proficiency that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Here are some tips for showing your skills on your resume:
- Use keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume to show that you have the skills the employer is looking for.
- Be specific: Instead of just listing “strong communication skills,” give examples of how you have demonstrated those skills, such as through public speaking or writing.
- Focus on transferable skills: Emphasize your transferable skills, such as problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork, that can be applied to a variety of industries and roles.
- Highlight technical skills: If you have any technical skills or proficiency with specific software programs, be sure to include those on your resume.
- Use bullet points: Make your skills section easy to read by using bullet points and short, concise statements.
By showing your skills on your resume, you can demonstrate to the employer that you have the abilities they are looking for and that you are a strong fit for the role.
Focus on achievements:
Focusing on your achievements is an effective way to create a strong and impactful resume. This section should highlight specific examples of how you have made a difference in your past jobs or academic experiences. By emphasizing your achievements, you can demonstrate your value to the employer and show that you have a track record of success. Here are some tips for focusing on your achievements on your resume:
- Quantify your accomplishments: Use numbers and statistics to show the impact of your achievements, such as “improved sales by 15%.”
- Be specific: Provide specific examples of your achievements, rather than just making general statements about your abilities.
- Use action verbs: Start each achievement with a strong action verb, such as “managed,” “created,” or “improved.”
- Highlight transferable skills: Emphasize achievements that demonstrate your transferable skills, such as problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork.
- Be concise: Keep your achievement statements concise and focused on the most relevant information.
By focusing on your achievements, you can make your resume stand out from others and show the employer that you have a proven track record of success in your previous roles.
Use keywords:
Using keywords is an important aspect of creating an effective resume. Keywords are specific words and phrases that are related to the job you’re applying for and help the employer identify if you have the skills and experience they’re looking for. By incorporating relevant keywords into your resume, you can increase the chances of your resume getting noticed by the employer and making it past the initial screening process. Here are some tips for using keywords on your resume:
- Research the job: Before you start writing your resume, research the job you’re applying for and take note of the keywords and phrases used in the job description.
- Incorporate keywords: Use the keywords you’ve identified in the job description in your resume, including in your skills, experiences, and achievements sections.
- Use synonyms: If the job description uses a specific term, consider using synonyms to avoid repeating the same word multiple times.
- Keep it natural: Don’t stuff your resume with too many keywords, as this can make your resume sound unnatural and could be seen as a red flag by the employer.
- Avoid overuse: Overuse of keywords can also lead to your resume being rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are commonly used by employers to screen resumes.
By using keywords on your resume, you can demonstrate to the employer that you have the skills and experience they’re looking for and increase the chances of your resume getting noticed.
Keep it concise:
Keeping your resume concise is an important aspect of creating an effective resume. A concise resume is easier to read and helps the employer quickly identify the most relevant information about you. Here are some tips for keeping your resume concise:
- Limit the length: Keep your resume to one or two pages, if possible. This shows the employer that you have focused on the most relevant information and have not included irrelevant or unnecessary details.
- Use bullet points: Break up long paragraphs into bullet points, as this makes the information easier to read and allows the employer to quickly scan the document.
- Be specific: Focus on specific examples and achievements, rather than making general statements about your skills and experience.
- Use active language: Use active verbs and avoid passive sentences to make your resume more engaging and impactful.
- Edit for clarity: Review your resume carefully and remove any information that is not relevant or redundant.
By keeping your resume concise, you can make a strong impression on the employer and increase the chances of your resume getting noticed.
Include a personal statement:
Including a personal statement in your resume can help you stand out from other candidates and give the employer a sense of who you are beyond your work and academic experience. A personal statement is a brief introduction that appears at the top of your resume and typically includes your name, contact information, and a brief summary of your professional and academic background. Here are some tips for creating a personal statement:
- Be concise: Keep your personal statement brief, typically no more than 3-4 sentences.
- Highlight your strengths: Use your personal statement to highlight your strengths and what makes you unique, such as your specific skills, experience, or areas of expertise.
- Align with the job: Make sure your personal statement is aligned with the job you’re applying for, highlighting how your skills and experience match the requirements of the position.
- Use keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description into your personal statement, as this can help your resume get noticed by the employer.
- Avoid cliches: Avoid using cliches or generic statements in your personal statement, as this can make your resume sound unoriginal and may not impress the employer.
By including a personal statement in your resume, you can make a strong first impression and show the employer why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Use a professional format:
Using a professional format for your resume is important for making a positive impression on the employer. A professional format helps ensure that your resume is easy to read and highlights your relevant skills and experiences. Here are some tips for using a professional format for your resume:
- Choose a font: Use a professional font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, in a size between 10 and 12 points.
- Use consistent formatting: Make sure that your font, spacing, and margins are consistent throughout your resume. This helps make your resume look polished and professional.
- Highlight important information: Use bold and italic text, as well as bullet points, to highlight important information and make your resume easier to read.
- Be strategic with white space: Use white space effectively to make your resume easier to read and to help separate sections of information.
- Use a template: Consider using a professional resume template, as this can help you create a well-structured and attractive resume that meets industry standards.
By using a professional format for your resume, you can show the employer that you are serious about the job and are committed to making a positive impression.
Proofread:
Proofreading your resume is an important step in creating an effective resume. Proofreading helps you catch any mistakes or typos that could negatively impact your chances of getting hired. Here are some tips for proofreading your resume:
- Allow time to pass: Give yourself time between writing and proofreading your resume, as this will help you look at it with fresh eyes and be more likely to spot mistakes.
- Read it backwards: Start from the bottom and read each line of your resume in reverse order. This helps you focus on each individual word and sentence, making it easier to spot mistakes.
- Check for typos: Check your resume for typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes. These small errors can be distracting and make your resume look unprofessional.
- Use a spell-checker: Use a spell-checker tool to help you catch any spelling mistakes.
- Get a second opinion: Have someone else review your resume for you, as they may spot mistakes that you missed.
By proofreading your resume, you can ensure that it is accurate, professional, and makes a positive impression on the employer. This can increase your chances of getting hired for the job you want.
Final Thoughts:
Creating an effective resume while still in college requires careful attention to detail and a commitment to presenting your skills, experience, and achievements in the best possible light. To create the best resume, you should start by writing a brief introduction and a personal statement, highlighting your education, showing your skills, focusing on your achievements, using keywords, keeping it concise, using a professional format, proofreading, and updating it regularly. By following these tips, you can create a strong resume that will help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting hired for the job you want. For reasons why your resume ignored click here.
