We have the lowdown on how to craft a resume that will wow an employer or graduate school, even if you aren’t sure where to begin!
As if studying for hours and completing endless piles of homework wasn't enough, now you have to write a resume. What is a resume anyway? And how do you make one if you haven’t held a “real” job yet? And what are companies looking for anyway?
We'll explain all that and more, now let’s dive in.
A resume is a single sheet of paper that details your education, experience, and skills. Companies review applicants' resumes in order to choose who they want to invite for an interview. Therefore, it's important to have a stellar resume in order to make it past the first round.
Resume's generally have the following parts:
However, not all resumes need to follow this exact format. For example, if you're a writer or researcher, you might have a section for publications. If you're a performer, you may include your repertoire.
See our list of over 350 action verbs to find more.
Tip: ALWAYS start each bullet point with a verb, it packs a strong punch and quickly demonstrates your abilities.
Not sure what sections to include on your resume? Consider:
It’s important to list any leadership experience, as this is one of the first sections that employers seek. You don’t have to hold an “official” position like a treasurer, team captain or student governor in order to have leadership experience. If you led a group project, motivated your club sports team, or helped your peers with a difficult subject you can list it as an example of leadership. Just pick a strong verb (i.e., led, managed, organized) to begin the sentence.
Here are some examples:
Tip: if you work a part-time job or play a sport, mention it! It shows time management, responsibility, and dedication.
Your skills will vary widely depending on your classes, your hobbies, and any experience you may have from a previous job or internship. The following are just some general ideas:
Tip: If you speak, read, or write a foreign language, list it on your resume. Be sure to include if you are a “beginner,” “proficient,” “intermediate,” “advanced” or an “expert.” And don’t exaggerate your ability -- you could end up in a sticky situation!
List the name of your university on your resume because it can serve as a networking tool. If the recruiter or hiring assistant went to the same school, it can help you stick out.
As for your GPA, whether or not you should include it depends on the industry in which you’re seeking work. However, the rule of thumb is that you should only include your GPA if it is above a 3.5. If you're still not sure, check out our GPA advice for more information.
Tip: No matter what extracurricular you participated in, course you took, or sport you played, do not be embarrassed! There is something that you learned from each one of these things. The trick is to figure out what that was, and how to list it on your resume. If you’re stuck, ask yourself, “What skill did I walk away with from this activity?” or “What did I accomplish after participating in this experience?”
Job Outlook
The job outlook for College Students depends on the industry in which they are specializing. For example, aerospace engineers make $116,500 while nurses can expect an income of $73,300.
Your job outlook will also depend on your GPA, your networking contacts, and your extracurriculars. Students who have higher GPA or more internships are more likely to get into an industry of their choice.
Average Salary
According to TheClassroom, the majority of working college students earn between $7,500 and $42,000 per year. This depends on the kind of work you do, how often you work, and the state in which you live.
College Students do best with part-time jobs, since the structure allows them to continue their studies and pursue other sports or interests.
Top Minimum Wages by State
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