7 answers
Brett
Student
Thiells, New York
4
Questions
Asked
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What are good ways to build the best resume to impress employers?
I just graduated college and will be trying to continue school and I want to know good ways to build up my resume so it will be impressive to employers. #professional #graduate #resume #employment
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7 answers
Erin Ford
PR Account Executive and Internship Supervisor
23
Answers
Updated
Erin’s Answer
Here are a few of my top tips for making sure you're resume is ready to be distributed to employers. Of course this doesn't cover all of it, but if you can check off each of these requirements you're not in bad shape.
Content:
- Join a professional association. There are some that are not too expensive and show your employer that you’re involved and interested in the industry.
- Volunteer (even virtually) with an organization that may be relevant to your future job. Listing this on your resume shows your philanthropic side, and if you don’t feel you have enough job experience, volunteer work can be beneficial in filling in the blanks.
Visuals:
- Make absolutely sure that it’s 1 page in length! Anything above that as a recent college graduate is a bad idea and completely unnecessary.
- Consistent font and spacing is crucial. If some lines are Times New Roman while some are Arial and there are random indents all over, it’s going to look sloppy and rushed.
- Make sure your resume layout is sleek and simple. You don’t want it cluttered or for it to look like you’re trying to fit too much on the page.
- Try a unique design -- Canva.com has some really fun templates you can just fill in that will make your resume stand out.
I hope this is helpful. My final tip would be to share your resume with friends and family you trust to give you honest feedback.
Omneya Nassar
PhD candidate in Pharmacology and Toxicology at UTMB
11
Answers
Galveston, Texas
Updated
Omneya’s Answer
The first thing you should do is attempt to contact the hiring manager or academic program coordinator. If they are easy to reach, put in the effort to tailor you resume to the position requested and apply for the position/program. If not, it may waste your time to put in the effort and not receive a reply.
If you are interested in getting into graduate school, you may need a different resume than if you are applying to work in industry or with an organization.
Industry cares about your skills and if you can do the job. First provide the necessary contact information and education background. You can provide the highest honor you received while in college or an award you received that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Then list your skills. Feel free to look at what skills the employer is looking for in case you forget to list an important and relevant skill you have. Also provide any relevant certifications and where/when you received them. After that, briefly list your work experience. Finally, provide a list of major honors and awards you have. If you have more space, list relevant courses or volunteering experiences that prepared you for the job. If you still have room, provide references. Resume should be maximum of 1 page in length.
Academia also cares about the same sections I provided in the industry section but focuses on publications if you have any. It is necessary to list any publications you may have. If not, don't sweat it; you may still be accepted to graduate school. I believe Academia prefers CVs over resumes. CVs are much longer in length (unlimited number of pages) and provide more detail/description about your work experience. My advisor had me remove my skills section and kept all of the other sections in my CV. Your publications, work and volunteering experience will imply what skills you may have.
Choose several professional layouts for your resume. Then narrow it down to which template is most readable and least distracting. Black and white templates are classics and known to be professional. You take a risk when using colored or "creative" templates. Unless the position requests that you be creative when applying, your goal should be to be as straightforward and to the point as possible, which can be accomplished using a black and white template.
Best of luck!
If you are interested in getting into graduate school, you may need a different resume than if you are applying to work in industry or with an organization.
Industry cares about your skills and if you can do the job. First provide the necessary contact information and education background. You can provide the highest honor you received while in college or an award you received that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Then list your skills. Feel free to look at what skills the employer is looking for in case you forget to list an important and relevant skill you have. Also provide any relevant certifications and where/when you received them. After that, briefly list your work experience. Finally, provide a list of major honors and awards you have. If you have more space, list relevant courses or volunteering experiences that prepared you for the job. If you still have room, provide references. Resume should be maximum of 1 page in length.
Academia also cares about the same sections I provided in the industry section but focuses on publications if you have any. It is necessary to list any publications you may have. If not, don't sweat it; you may still be accepted to graduate school. I believe Academia prefers CVs over resumes. CVs are much longer in length (unlimited number of pages) and provide more detail/description about your work experience. My advisor had me remove my skills section and kept all of the other sections in my CV. Your publications, work and volunteering experience will imply what skills you may have.
Choose several professional layouts for your resume. Then narrow it down to which template is most readable and least distracting. Black and white templates are classics and known to be professional. You take a risk when using colored or "creative" templates. Unless the position requests that you be creative when applying, your goal should be to be as straightforward and to the point as possible, which can be accomplished using a black and white template.
Best of luck!
Febriliani Tan
Marketing partnership
1
Answer
Singapore
Updated
Febriliani’s Answer
Take up internships, propose new ideas that add value to the company, and lead in the execution. Focus on your skills that are rare in the company to solve existing pain points or create new opportunities. Aim to exceed expectations starting from the smallest tasks, and overtime you will be trusted with greater responsibilities. This will give you a lot of substance to add to your resume. In writing your resume, always start with a strong action word and showcase quantifiable achievements. For example:
1. Lead a marketing campaign that generates XXXX conversion at XXXX cost, contributing to XXXX uplift in sales.
2. Created XXXX new sales materials that contribute to winning XXXX clients with projects worth xxxx
Most importantly, don't get discouraged when you meet difficult people or get underestimated for being young and less experienced. It's part and parcel of early career. Stay positive and prove them wrong by giving your very best :) Be kind, but also be smart. When you drive a project, make sure it's obvious to the people who matter. This can help you secure a good recommendation letter at the end of every internship. This can bolster your resume and help you land your dream job. Don't forget to keep track of your work as part of your portfolio.
I completed around 5-6 internships throughout universities, and managed to secure my current job before graduation.
Happy hustling!
1. Lead a marketing campaign that generates XXXX conversion at XXXX cost, contributing to XXXX uplift in sales.
2. Created XXXX new sales materials that contribute to winning XXXX clients with projects worth xxxx
Most importantly, don't get discouraged when you meet difficult people or get underestimated for being young and less experienced. It's part and parcel of early career. Stay positive and prove them wrong by giving your very best :) Be kind, but also be smart. When you drive a project, make sure it's obvious to the people who matter. This can help you secure a good recommendation letter at the end of every internship. This can bolster your resume and help you land your dream job. Don't forget to keep track of your work as part of your portfolio.
I completed around 5-6 internships throughout universities, and managed to secure my current job before graduation.
Happy hustling!
Gina Cabrera
EC
130
Answers
Hernando, Florida
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Building an impressive resume requires careful attention to detail and a focus on showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications. Here are some tips to help you create a strong resume:
1. Tailor your resume: Customize your resume for each job application to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences. Carefully review the job description and incorporate keywords and phrases that align with the requirements of the position.
2. Clear and concise format: Use a clean and professional format that is easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, and appropriate spacing to organize your information. Keep your resume concise, typically limiting it to one or two pages.
3. Professional summary or objective statement: Include a brief summary or objective statement at the beginning of your resume to provide a snapshot of your skills, experiences, and career goals. Tailor this section to align with the specific job or field you're targeting.
4. Highlight your education: Include your educational background, including your degree, major, university, and graduation date. If you have relevant coursework, honors, or academic achievements, include those as well.
5. Showcase relevant experiences: Emphasize internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or research projects that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Focus on the skills and accomplishments gained from these experiences.
6. Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your impact. For example, mention the number of clients served, the percentage of improvement achieved, or the size of the team you managed.
7. Skills section: Include a section that highlights your relevant skills, both technical and soft skills. Be specific and provide examples of how you have applied these skills in previous experiences.
8. Professional affiliations and certifications: Include any professional affiliations, memberships, or certifications that are relevant to your field. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and staying current in your industry.
9. Proofread and edit: Ensure that your resume is free of grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Proofread it carefully or ask someone else to review it for you.
10. Use action verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. This adds impact and demonstrates your proactive approach.
Remember, your resume is a marketing tool to showcase your qualifications and make a positive impression on employers. Continuously update and refine your resume as you gain new experiences and skills. Good luck with your job search!
1. Tailor your resume: Customize your resume for each job application to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences. Carefully review the job description and incorporate keywords and phrases that align with the requirements of the position.
2. Clear and concise format: Use a clean and professional format that is easy to read. Use headings, bullet points, and appropriate spacing to organize your information. Keep your resume concise, typically limiting it to one or two pages.
3. Professional summary or objective statement: Include a brief summary or objective statement at the beginning of your resume to provide a snapshot of your skills, experiences, and career goals. Tailor this section to align with the specific job or field you're targeting.
4. Highlight your education: Include your educational background, including your degree, major, university, and graduation date. If you have relevant coursework, honors, or academic achievements, include those as well.
5. Showcase relevant experiences: Emphasize internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or research projects that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Focus on the skills and accomplishments gained from these experiences.
6. Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your impact. For example, mention the number of clients served, the percentage of improvement achieved, or the size of the team you managed.
7. Skills section: Include a section that highlights your relevant skills, both technical and soft skills. Be specific and provide examples of how you have applied these skills in previous experiences.
8. Professional affiliations and certifications: Include any professional affiliations, memberships, or certifications that are relevant to your field. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and staying current in your industry.
9. Proofread and edit: Ensure that your resume is free of grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Proofread it carefully or ask someone else to review it for you.
10. Use action verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. This adds impact and demonstrates your proactive approach.
Remember, your resume is a marketing tool to showcase your qualifications and make a positive impression on employers. Continuously update and refine your resume as you gain new experiences and skills. Good luck with your job search!
Alicia Bowman
Learning & Development Manager at PwC
11
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Alicia’s Answer
If you are continuing your education, you should also look for internships - paid or unpaid - in your field of study so that you can get good practical experience while you're a student. Connect with the career services department on campus to find out about internship opportunities from companies that recruit on campus.
Yolonda Bueford
Academic Advisor
58
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Yolonda’s Answer
This is the perfect video to walk you through that: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=JuVYWUo2meE
Omneya Nassar
PhD candidate in Pharmacology and Toxicology at UTMB
11
Answers
Galveston, Texas
Updated
Omneya’s Answer
Also, if you are not accepted for a position, it's okay to ask their opinion about your resume and if you need to make any improvements.