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What are some ways I can make my resume stand out? What certificates that I can do online that can benefit me on the long run?
I am a full-time college freshman who also works full-time. I want my resume to stand out for other job opportunities. I am interested in business and building different sources of income. #college #business
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10 answers
Updated
Doc’s Answer
YOU'VE GOT 30 SECONDS, IMPRESS ME MARY
Only 30-seconds Mary. That's all the time you have to persuade an employer to move forward with you. In order to pass the 30-second review test, you need to think like a hiring manager and structure your resume to flow in a very specific way. In order to be 30-second worthy, your resume needs to make the most of formatting and content. Consider the facts. On average, a company receives 250 applications for every opening they have. Combine that statistic with the fact that 75% of candidates are not qualified for the jobs they apply to, and you can see how daunting it is for a hiring manager to sift through hundreds of resumes. Time is of the essence and 30-seconds is all you’ve got.
STICK TO THE FACTS
To free up space on your resume, take out all the flowery, subjective text where you try to make your accomplishments sound more important. Employers cringe when they see things like, "I'm an innovative self-starter who has mastered the art of..." Instead, stick to the facts. Numbers are not only the easiest thing to read when skimming a resume, they are also what is most likely to be remembered by the hiring manage. You’re making your first impression with your resume and you want your best foot forward. Your resume should be error-free, visually appealing, and polished. Include an appropriate amount of white space and keep the formatting and fonts simple and easy to read. Look at your resume with a critical eye and make sure you have 1-2 other people proof it & give you feedback.
SHOW YOUR RESULTS
Every square inch of your resume is valuable real estate that you should use to your advantage. Avoid using typical resume phrases, clichés, and fillers. Many candidates use the same words and phrases on their resumes and at some point, employers will tune you out. Carefully select the right words to amplify how you fit the position. Highlight the results you’ve created in your career and emphasize the transferrable skills that could be valuable to a prospective employer. Don’t just write about the jobs you had and what you did; show evidence that you were great at your job and you’ll stand apart.
30-seconds may not seem like much time, but with the right strategy, you can use those 30-seconds to your advantage. Make sure you’re applying for the right jobs and customize your resume (and cover letter) for each opportunity. The best place to start when preparing to write a resume is to carefully read the job postings that interest you. As you apply for different jobs, you should study each job description for keywords that show what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Include those keywords in your resume where relevant.
Apply the 30-second test to your own resume and ask yourself, will you make the cut Mary?
Make it simple and easy to read – Resume samples are simple and straightforward. This is because employers have a minimal amount of time to review your resume, so readability is key. This also means selecting a professional, clean font.
Include numbers – You might also notice that there are often metrics included in the experience section of resume samples. This is because employers are highly responsive to measurable proven value. Numbers allow them to better understand the value you may bring to the position.
Make it brief – You’ll notice that each section of the resume sample is short and to-the-point, including the summary and experience descriptions. Including only the most key and relevant information means employers are able to consume more information about you, and more quickly understand your fitness for the role.
Ditch the objective section from your resume – Objective is superfluous on a resume, the company already knows what you’re looking for because you applied for a specific position. Having an objective section may even exclude you from other similar positions that might be interesting to you.
Ensure your resume is consistent with your online profiles (e.g. LinkedIn) – Ensure that your resume matches up with your experience, education and qualification information that might be found on your online profiles. If a hiring manager spots any inconsistencies between the two, it may imply that you have something to hide.
Only 30-seconds Mary. That's all the time you have to persuade an employer to move forward with you. In order to pass the 30-second review test, you need to think like a hiring manager and structure your resume to flow in a very specific way. In order to be 30-second worthy, your resume needs to make the most of formatting and content. Consider the facts. On average, a company receives 250 applications for every opening they have. Combine that statistic with the fact that 75% of candidates are not qualified for the jobs they apply to, and you can see how daunting it is for a hiring manager to sift through hundreds of resumes. Time is of the essence and 30-seconds is all you’ve got.
STICK TO THE FACTS
To free up space on your resume, take out all the flowery, subjective text where you try to make your accomplishments sound more important. Employers cringe when they see things like, "I'm an innovative self-starter who has mastered the art of..." Instead, stick to the facts. Numbers are not only the easiest thing to read when skimming a resume, they are also what is most likely to be remembered by the hiring manage. You’re making your first impression with your resume and you want your best foot forward. Your resume should be error-free, visually appealing, and polished. Include an appropriate amount of white space and keep the formatting and fonts simple and easy to read. Look at your resume with a critical eye and make sure you have 1-2 other people proof it & give you feedback.
SHOW YOUR RESULTS
Every square inch of your resume is valuable real estate that you should use to your advantage. Avoid using typical resume phrases, clichés, and fillers. Many candidates use the same words and phrases on their resumes and at some point, employers will tune you out. Carefully select the right words to amplify how you fit the position. Highlight the results you’ve created in your career and emphasize the transferrable skills that could be valuable to a prospective employer. Don’t just write about the jobs you had and what you did; show evidence that you were great at your job and you’ll stand apart.
30-seconds may not seem like much time, but with the right strategy, you can use those 30-seconds to your advantage. Make sure you’re applying for the right jobs and customize your resume (and cover letter) for each opportunity. The best place to start when preparing to write a resume is to carefully read the job postings that interest you. As you apply for different jobs, you should study each job description for keywords that show what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Include those keywords in your resume where relevant.
Apply the 30-second test to your own resume and ask yourself, will you make the cut Mary?
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Thank You Mary. You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
Doc Frick
I can not thank you enough for the tips you provided. I will be updating my resume and taking your advice. Thank you so much, I am very grateful for your response.
Mary
I 100% agree with what you said, we don't know as much as we think we know and there are a lot of opportunities out there waiting for somebody to take it. I would like to thank you again.
Mary
Your Welcome Mary, It was my Pleasure. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible”!
Doc Frick
Thank You Jay. “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.”
Doc Frick
Thank You for your continued support Dexter. Every problem is a gift – without problems we would not grow, It's in these moments of decision that our destiny is shaped.
Doc Frick
Thank You Donna. “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” – Sherry Anderson
Doc Frick
Thank You Aslon. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Doc Frick
Thank You Allison. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn
Doc Frick
Thank You Marie. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Doc Frick
Thank You Holly. “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” – Seneca
Doc Frick
Thank You Julia. “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our brothers and sisters.” – Mother Teresa
Doc Frick
Updated
Mackenzie’s Answer
Hi Mary!
Anna provided some great recommendations to continue your learning, and I would recommend adding podcasts into your daily routine as well! Below are some of the podcasts I listen to daily, but I also recommend searching for podcasts specific to the kind of business you'd like to go into, and adding some in for your personal interests as well. These ones help me stay up to date on current events, technology (which is my industry) and also investing:
The Daily - New York Times (news)
WSJ Secrets of Wealth - Podcast by Wall Street Journal
Robinhood Snacks Daily - Robinhood Financial LLC
Think Positive: A Daily Affirmation - Dachia Arritola
As you build your actual resume, an easy way to start is to use the templates in Microsoft Word and search for the resume templates, they're formatted nicely and can help you stand out visually.
Hope these help - and best of luck to you as you finish school and look forward to life ahead!
Cheers,
Mackenzie
Anna provided some great recommendations to continue your learning, and I would recommend adding podcasts into your daily routine as well! Below are some of the podcasts I listen to daily, but I also recommend searching for podcasts specific to the kind of business you'd like to go into, and adding some in for your personal interests as well. These ones help me stay up to date on current events, technology (which is my industry) and also investing:
The Daily - New York Times (news)
WSJ Secrets of Wealth - Podcast by Wall Street Journal
Robinhood Snacks Daily - Robinhood Financial LLC
Think Positive: A Daily Affirmation - Dachia Arritola
As you build your actual resume, an easy way to start is to use the templates in Microsoft Word and search for the resume templates, they're formatted nicely and can help you stand out visually.
Hope these help - and best of luck to you as you finish school and look forward to life ahead!
Cheers,
Mackenzie
Thank you so much, I didn't even think about. I will take your advice. Your response was much appreciated.
Mary
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Salesforce created the trailblazer program which teaches you business, sales, and salesforce technology administration skills. Their product is used in many technology companies and other industries even in business, non-profit, and government. They give certifications upon completion: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/trailblazers
Getting Bloomberg certified will teach you about business and economics: https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/product/bloomberg-market-concepts/
Linkedin has lots of classes available that upon completion give you a certificate you can put on your profile. It's free for your first month: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/continue?account=67553434&forceAccount=false&authModeName=SAML-Azure&authUUID=L%2Fp7dNVmSmm8p9dX%2B3DfxQ%3D%3D&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Flearning%2F
Good luck!
Getting Bloomberg certified will teach you about business and economics: https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/product/bloomberg-market-concepts/
Linkedin has lots of classes available that upon completion give you a certificate you can put on your profile. It's free for your first month: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/continue?account=67553434&forceAccount=false&authModeName=SAML-Azure&authUUID=L%2Fp7dNVmSmm8p9dX%2B3DfxQ%3D%3D&redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Flearning%2F
Good luck!
Wow! Thank you so much. I did not know where to start but thank you so much for the information. It's greatly appreciated.
Mary
Updated
Denise’s Answer
Hi, I have hired numerous candidates over the years. As a hiring manager, the first thing I will do is discard your resume if you have typos, incomplete thoughts, or what you have shared does not make sense. This is the very first impression that you are making with me so I want to be impressed.
When I work with employees to update their resumes, I stress that it is important and okay to brag about yourself. This is your chance to shine so that I know what you have accomplished, what skills you bring, and what relevant experience sets you apart. What I want to read on your resume is what results you have actually achieved.
I also do not want to read a resume that is a book. Please do not over share or provide too much detailed information. I do not have time to read all of that and it makes me want to throw out your resume right away.
Once you have a great resume, you should think about how you would respond to interview questions based on your experiences and what is included in your resume.
When I work with employees to update their resumes, I stress that it is important and okay to brag about yourself. This is your chance to shine so that I know what you have accomplished, what skills you bring, and what relevant experience sets you apart. What I want to read on your resume is what results you have actually achieved.
I also do not want to read a resume that is a book. Please do not over share or provide too much detailed information. I do not have time to read all of that and it makes me want to throw out your resume right away.
Denise recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Miss Denise It's good to hear from someone that has hired plenty of people. I appreciate your response and I will proudly take in your advice.
Mary
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Mary,
I've been interviewing people for 15 years and I can tell you some things that I've seen first hand:
* The number one thing that makes resumes stand out in the Silicon Valley is actual, relevant experience. I get so many resumes from people who use a single resume to submit to 4 similar jobs and I can tell you that those candidates get found out quick and they never make it past the first round. A good practice is to tailor your resume to the specific job role that you are applying for. If you're applying for similar roles (but different job titles), create a separate copy for it. A great practice is to tailor the resume towards the company that you're applying to. I always appreciate a resume that feels like it was made just for me.
* Second thing is to make sure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. The funniest thing about a resume (not in a good way) is when they write that they are a great communicator, but there are grammar mistakes throughout the resume. If I can't believe their words there, why would I believe anything else that they say?
* Third thing that makes a resume standout is longevity at a job and company. I see so many resumes these days where the candidate has 1-2 years of experience at 5 companies. If I see that, why would I want to invest my time in a candidate (it takes around 6 months to a year to come up to speed in my organization) where once they're up-to-speed and working efficiently, they're going to leave and go to another company? I do ask the candidates about this type of stuff, since some did not move around by choice (lay-offs, acquisitions, etc), but what stands out is to see someone that stays at a company 3-5 years at a time (or longer).
* Fourth thing I would say is volunteering experience or open-source contributions. I always give extra credit points to people who help our society.
I wish you the best of luck!
--
Dexter
I've been interviewing people for 15 years and I can tell you some things that I've seen first hand:
* The number one thing that makes resumes stand out in the Silicon Valley is actual, relevant experience. I get so many resumes from people who use a single resume to submit to 4 similar jobs and I can tell you that those candidates get found out quick and they never make it past the first round. A good practice is to tailor your resume to the specific job role that you are applying for. If you're applying for similar roles (but different job titles), create a separate copy for it. A great practice is to tailor the resume towards the company that you're applying to. I always appreciate a resume that feels like it was made just for me.
* Second thing is to make sure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. The funniest thing about a resume (not in a good way) is when they write that they are a great communicator, but there are grammar mistakes throughout the resume. If I can't believe their words there, why would I believe anything else that they say?
* Third thing that makes a resume standout is longevity at a job and company. I see so many resumes these days where the candidate has 1-2 years of experience at 5 companies. If I see that, why would I want to invest my time in a candidate (it takes around 6 months to a year to come up to speed in my organization) where once they're up-to-speed and working efficiently, they're going to leave and go to another company? I do ask the candidates about this type of stuff, since some did not move around by choice (lay-offs, acquisitions, etc), but what stands out is to see someone that stays at a company 3-5 years at a time (or longer).
* Fourth thing I would say is volunteering experience or open-source contributions. I always give extra credit points to people who help our society.
I wish you the best of luck!
--
Dexter
Thank you so much for your response and I totally agree.
Mary
Updated
Holly’s Answer
What works for me:
- Seeing the verbiage of the role and using synonyms of it in my resume.
- Keeping resume to one page. Aesthetics of your resume matters a lot.
- Being concise in summarizing your experiences. I try and do 1 line per bullet point.
- Only including relevant experiences.
What to avoid:
- One resume fits all mentality. Customize your resume for the job you're applying for
- Typos. Assume a recruiter will automatically discard yours.
- Seeing the verbiage of the role and using synonyms of it in my resume.
- Keeping resume to one page. Aesthetics of your resume matters a lot.
- Being concise in summarizing your experiences. I try and do 1 line per bullet point.
- Only including relevant experiences.
What to avoid:
- One resume fits all mentality. Customize your resume for the job you're applying for
- Typos. Assume a recruiter will automatically discard yours.
Updated
Mya’s Answer
Hi Mary,
Great questions! There are plenty of ways to make your resume stand out:
1. Have a unique but neat format to your resume. Spend some time looking at templates or creating your own that suits your personality. Stick to one page but be creative in how you format.
2. Create a resume for the specific job you are applying for. Resumes don't typically work in the one style fits all format. So focus on the companies values and how they align with yours and then tie it into the skills you have.
3. Be concise and and honest with your resume
If you're looking to gain more experience on your resume there are plenty on free online certifications you can take specific to your career path. I'm in marketing and some certifications I took were with Hub Spot Academy. Search some and sign up. They are great to gain insights and build your resume. Also, get involved in school, use clubs or organizations as way to take on leadership and gain skills that can be shown on your resume.
In addition to a resume make sure to have a Linkedin account and keep it up to date as well.
Great questions! There are plenty of ways to make your resume stand out:
1. Have a unique but neat format to your resume. Spend some time looking at templates or creating your own that suits your personality. Stick to one page but be creative in how you format.
2. Create a resume for the specific job you are applying for. Resumes don't typically work in the one style fits all format. So focus on the companies values and how they align with yours and then tie it into the skills you have.
3. Be concise and and honest with your resume
If you're looking to gain more experience on your resume there are plenty on free online certifications you can take specific to your career path. I'm in marketing and some certifications I took were with Hub Spot Academy. Search some and sign up. They are great to gain insights and build your resume. Also, get involved in school, use clubs or organizations as way to take on leadership and gain skills that can be shown on your resume.
In addition to a resume make sure to have a Linkedin account and keep it up to date as well.
Updated
Susana’s Answer
You can definitely add to your resume any accomplishment you have achieve in college or previous positions you had, for example:
***Accomplishments: $1.5M savings driven by business review internal controls, non-compliance findings in XXX Integration Project . Pilot Project, Implementation completed on Aug 2019.
***XXX Corporate Recognition 2019 / ASP Challenge 2018, 2% increase in Net Sales by applying the new standardized Terms & Conditions model, allowing to reduce the Gross to Net and maximize customer investments
If you are interested in business / finance field some trending online certificates you can do are Power BI, Essbase and Google sheets.
***Accomplishments: $1.5M savings driven by business review internal controls, non-compliance findings in XXX Integration Project . Pilot Project, Implementation completed on Aug 2019.
***XXX Corporate Recognition 2019 / ASP Challenge 2018, 2% increase in Net Sales by applying the new standardized Terms & Conditions model, allowing to reduce the Gross to Net and maximize customer investments
If you are interested in business / finance field some trending online certificates you can do are Power BI, Essbase and Google sheets.
Thank you so much, this was just what I needed to get a kick start.
Mary
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Never think it is one and done with a Resume. Each job application is unique, as you read through the job description ask yourself how your resume reflects the attributes needed. Make sure you have key words that will generate a match to the job opportunity.
Don't get me wrong a strong generic resume is good for a job fair or open forum where you are meeting recruiters or potential employer HR representatives face to face. As in these environments you have two opportunities to make an impression. The most important being the interaction with the representative.
But when applying online to a job or career opportunity, be sure to tweak your resume to show actual interest in the position. If selected for an interview be prepared to elaborate on any points in your resume.
Don't get me wrong a strong generic resume is good for a job fair or open forum where you are meeting recruiters or potential employer HR representatives face to face. As in these environments you have two opportunities to make an impression. The most important being the interaction with the representative.
But when applying online to a job or career opportunity, be sure to tweak your resume to show actual interest in the position. If selected for an interview be prepared to elaborate on any points in your resume.
Updated
Esmerina’s Answer
Hi Mary,
As many others may have stated, be clear and concise. Proof read your resume many times. Don't minimize your experience as a student and other work you may have done. There are so many transferrable skills that you have attained through your work as a student (team work etc.) as well as other jobs you have held. For instance, if you are going to school full time and working, that in itself is a strength you need to emphasize to future employers.
There are many MOOCS out there (Massive Online Open Sources) that you can learn from. Coursera is one of them as well as LinkedIn. You can use this to brush up on your Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint skills, etc.
Best of luck to you!
Esmerina
As many others may have stated, be clear and concise. Proof read your resume many times. Don't minimize your experience as a student and other work you may have done. There are so many transferrable skills that you have attained through your work as a student (team work etc.) as well as other jobs you have held. For instance, if you are going to school full time and working, that in itself is a strength you need to emphasize to future employers.
There are many MOOCS out there (Massive Online Open Sources) that you can learn from. Coursera is one of them as well as LinkedIn. You can use this to brush up on your Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint skills, etc.
Best of luck to you!
Esmerina