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
Start Your Search for Part Time Jobs
Learn how to format contact information on your resume and what information to share with the hiring manager.
Read this how-to guideDon't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.
Read this how-to guideIn this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about including references on a resume, from how to format them to how to know when they should be included at all.
Read this how-to guideYour work experience is a summary of all your hard work, dedication and achievements over the years. Here's how to do justice to your work history.
Read this how-to guideIf this is your first time creating a resume in Microsoft Word, the process may seem overwhelming. Luckily, this article is here to help! In this step-by-step guide, we will cover how to create an effective resume from start to finish using Microsoft Word.
Read this career-advice articleTo include or not to include (a profile photo or a selfie) — that is the question.
Read this career-advice articleIT is a massively growing industry with tons of potential for professional growth. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to these jobs! In this guide, we will cover what IT skills are and offer you examples of some of the top skills to include on your resume.
Read this career-advice articleIf you’ve done any research into the different types of resumes, you’ve likely heard the term CV before. A CV is a type of document with a much more specific purpose than your standard resume. In this article, we will cover exactly what a CV is, how it differs from a resume, and when to consider using one.
Read this career-advice article
