Your CV has to stand out among hundreds of applications. And with these resume writing strategies, it will.
Your CV is the first thing hiring managers look at when you apply for a job—that is why it is crucial to make sure yours sparkles. Using the proper language and layout, and containing the right talking points, may lead to an interview or possibly a job offer. Follow our resume writing advice for college students and give yourself the best possible opportunity for securing that job or dream internship.
1. Find a Resume Template That Works for You
Finding a solid resume template is easy—Google and Microsoft Word are wonderful places to start. Look for an example that suits your personality and your experience. Be consistent with the style you chose, whether it be bullet points or short paragraphs, and keep the same structure throughout your resume or CV.
2. Summarize Your Qualifications
Start your resume with a synopsis of who you are, what your career track is, and why you are suitable for this job or internship opportunity. Think of the qualifications summary as a three-sentence cover letter. Recruiters typically like learning a little more about you beyond your experience. Having difficulties making a summary? A career action plan can make drafting a resume simpler by providing you a clearer picture of your abilities and credentials.
3. Use Action Verbs
Action verbs—as opposed to connecting or supporting verbs—are fantastic for conveying responsibility on a resume. Be cautious, however, since most experience bullet points on resumes start with the same set of action verbs, terms such as led, handled, or managed. Find unique methods to explain your professional obligations to help you stand out from the crowd. Try behaved as, coordinated, arranged, or other synonyms.
4. Use Numbers Wherever Possible
Try to quantify your experience whenever you can when preparing a resume—it offers the recruiters a sense of the volume and breadth of your work. And it indicates you can back up your assertions with statistics, something many managers seek for. How did you donate and how much did you contribute? For instance, interning at an IT desk seems more impressive when you have helped over 100 individuals a day or discovered a mistake that saved the organization $50,000.
5. Do Not Hide Your Education
Most professional resumes place job experience over education. However, if you are still a student, then schooling is your major obligation and should appear prominently on your CV. Include your school’s name, your major, and your GPA. You might also consider noting any scholarships or awards you have obtained as a consequence of your study.
6. Start with Relevant Work History
If you are currently in school or recently graduated, you may not have much professional experience that is directly connected to your future employment. That is OK—you are not looking for a senior post and are generally not expected to have years of similar work experience. Align talents you have utilized in past employment to the role you are applying to. Include internships, other entry-level employment, volunteering roles, research initiatives, and anything else that is relevant.
7. Focus on Your Achievements and Leadership Experience
It is OK if your experience does not connect directly to the job, particularly if you can mention instances of how you were a leader. You may also mention your professional, athletic, or scholastic accomplishments. Extracurricular activities and joining a campus club—like becoming captain of your varsity basketball team or belonging to the debate club—show that you are a team player and know how to lead.
8. Do Not Forget to Include Your Extracurriculars
Are you on the swim team? In the chess club? Do you volunteer at a local shelter or routinely engage in any other sort of community service? If you do not have the professional experience sufficient to complete your CV, mention your other hobbies. Show the recruiter how these hobbies and interests match with the position criteria in the job description.
9. Include a Skills Section
Many hiring managers are looking to determine whether you have the computer abilities necessary to do the job. Include the computer languages, programs, and platforms that you have familiarity with, particularly when these technologies relate directly to the function. If you have attended any courses or held any certifications—such as the free Google Analytics Academy certifications—make sure you mention those credentials, too.
10. One Page Is Enough
Many college students will undoubtedly have problems completing a single page with their employment history. If you find yourself running longer than one page, then you should consider revising your resume down to suit. While a one-page resume is not a rigid rule—you may go longer if you have the experience to make it work—it is plenty for the majority of job seekers. And remember, producing a fantastic cover letter lets you tell the rest of your narrative and explain your “why me” to the hiring manager.
11. Do Not Forget to Proofread
Last but not least, make sure you go over your CV numerous times before sending any job applications. A mistake, sloppy language, or inconsistencies might be a red signal for recruiting supervisors in industries where attention to detail is vital. Ask a family member or friend to have a look, as well as someone in your university’s career assistance department.
As a college student, finding fantastic techniques on how to build a resume might be tough, but there is more to a CV than simply job experience. Creating a clear image of who you are, what relevant experience you have, and why you are the ideal applicant for the job are the elements to a successful resume. Concentrating on these CV or resume writing suggestions can help you put your best foot forward when applying for a job.
