A Guide to Preparing Your Resume for Job Hunting
You’ve been in college for 2 years, 4 years or if you are like me….even longer to get that 4 year diploma. You missed countless parties (or maybe countless days of schooling). You chewed up tens of thousands of dollars or more.
So. Having been through this a few times, I can say that awareness and ownership are two key traits to leverage. As a hiring manager and team builder, I’ve seen candidates that span a wide range. From 4.0 students that are book smart but ill equipped for any social interaction to those that can sell themselves well but have zero supporting evidence. They’ll both get jobs if they want to.
With graduation around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about your next steps.
One of the most important things you need to do is to prepare your resume. Your resume is your ticket to securing a job and starting your career. In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips to help you create a winning resume as you approach graduation.
- Tailor your resume for each job you apply for Your resume should be tailored to each job you apply for. Research the company and the job requirements, and make sure your resume highlights your relevant skills, experience, and education. In order to do this well, you’ll need a defined goal. Why do you want a job, is it just to get income and experience, to validate your degree? or something larger?
- Highlight your achievements Don’t just list your duties and responsibilities. Showcase your achievements and quantify your success whenever possible. Use numbers and statistics to demonstrate the impact you made in previous roles. McKinsey, the world’s top consulting firm has great information available to help with achievement based resumes.
- Showcase transferable skills Focus on the skills you’ve developed through your experiences, such as leadership, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Emphasize how these skills can transfer to the job you’re applying for.
- Keep it concise and clear Your resume should be no more than two pages long, and use clear, easy-to-read language. Avoid using industry jargon and make sure your resume is visually appealing.
- Include internships, co-op, and extracurricular activities Include all relevant experiences, including internships, co-op programs, and extracurricular activities. These experiences demonstrate your skills, commitment, and passion for your chosen field.
- Proofread Finally, proofread your resume multiple times. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies. Have a friend or mentor review your resume as well, to get a fresh perspective.
Your resume is a crucial tool as you embark on your job search. By following these tips, you can create a resume that stands out and gets you noticed by potential employers.
You don’t need 10 years of experience.
As a new grad and a potential candidate for a role at a company, you are most likely not expected to have years of work experience. In most cases, we don’t expect you to have graduated from the top program in the country either. Show the hiring managers a resume that is organized, one that you can expand on in conversation. If it’s a good fit, you’ll have a better chance of getting in.
Final thought: Consider your resume a “living document”. Plan on it, invest in it, maintain it and it will give you a nice return, year over year.