9 answers
Kelsey
Student
Erie, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
1317 views
How do I complete a resume?
What is the right format to complete a resume? How do I give my resume to jobs I want ?
Login to comment
9 answers
Dominika Kowalska
Career Expert, Certified Professional Resume Writer
9
Answers
Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Dominika’s Answer
Crafting a resume as a student can seem tough when you're short on professional work history, but trust me, there are plenty of ways to shine a spotlight on your skills, academic successes, and extracurricular activities to make a standout impression. Here's what I swear by:
Pick the Perfect Format
For students, the functional or combination resume formats are usually more fitting:
- Functional: Puts a spotlight on your skills and achievements instead of your employment history. Ideal for students with minimal formal job experience.
-Combination: Features key skills upfront followed by a concise work or volunteer history. Great for demonstrating your abilities along with any job experience.
Header
Start with a crisp header that includes:
- Name
- Phone Number
- Professional Email Address (skip the quirky ones)
- LinkedIn Profile (if you have one)
Education
Your education is a major asset as a student. Position this section prominently and include:
- School Name and Location
- Degree or Program (including expected degree and completion date)
- GPA (if it's a strong point, say above 3.0)
- Relevant Courses (especially those pertinent to the job you're eyeing)
- Relevant Skills
Feature a section to highlight your skills, both technical (like software proficiency) and interpersonal (like teamwork and communication).
Experience
This part can cover part-time jobs, internships, volunteer activities, and major school projects. Structure it like so:
- Job or Position Title, Organization Name, Dates of Engagement
- Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to detail your roles and any measurable outcomes.
- Activities and Achievements
Add any extracurricular involvement, clubs, sports, or groups, organized as follows:
- Activity or Organization Name, Your Role/Position, Dates of Engagement
- Main Contributions: Highlight any leadership roles or major initiatives you spearheaded or significantly contributed to.
Awards and Certifications
List any pertinent awards or certifications, such as academic honors, scholarships, or industry-specific qualifications.
Optional Sections
Consider including additional relevant sections like:
- Publications
- Conferences
- Languages (if you're bilingual or multilingual)
- Hobbies and Interests (if they enhance your application)
Additional Tips:
- Be Concise: Keep it to one page, especially as an undergrad or recent grad. The quicker a recruiter can scan your resume, the better your chances they'll read it thoroughly!
- Use Action Words: Terms like "developed," "organized," and "implemented" can make your activities sound dynamic and impactful. Steer clear of passive phrases like "assisted with" or "familiar with."
- Quantify Achievements: Where possible, add numbers to underscore your accomplishments, e.g., "boosted club membership by 20%."
- Proofread: Always double-check your resume for errors multiple times, and maybe get a second pair of eyes from a friend or mentor. Tools like Grammarly can be a big help too.
Plus, here’s a resume writing guide I recommend checking out for straightforward advice: How to Make a Resume (Examples and Template) Good luck out there!
Pick the Perfect Format
For students, the functional or combination resume formats are usually more fitting:
- Functional: Puts a spotlight on your skills and achievements instead of your employment history. Ideal for students with minimal formal job experience.
-Combination: Features key skills upfront followed by a concise work or volunteer history. Great for demonstrating your abilities along with any job experience.
Header
Start with a crisp header that includes:
- Name
- Phone Number
- Professional Email Address (skip the quirky ones)
- LinkedIn Profile (if you have one)
Education
Your education is a major asset as a student. Position this section prominently and include:
- School Name and Location
- Degree or Program (including expected degree and completion date)
- GPA (if it's a strong point, say above 3.0)
- Relevant Courses (especially those pertinent to the job you're eyeing)
- Relevant Skills
Feature a section to highlight your skills, both technical (like software proficiency) and interpersonal (like teamwork and communication).
Experience
This part can cover part-time jobs, internships, volunteer activities, and major school projects. Structure it like so:
- Job or Position Title, Organization Name, Dates of Engagement
- Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to detail your roles and any measurable outcomes.
- Activities and Achievements
Add any extracurricular involvement, clubs, sports, or groups, organized as follows:
- Activity or Organization Name, Your Role/Position, Dates of Engagement
- Main Contributions: Highlight any leadership roles or major initiatives you spearheaded or significantly contributed to.
Awards and Certifications
List any pertinent awards or certifications, such as academic honors, scholarships, or industry-specific qualifications.
Optional Sections
Consider including additional relevant sections like:
- Publications
- Conferences
- Languages (if you're bilingual or multilingual)
- Hobbies and Interests (if they enhance your application)
Additional Tips:
- Be Concise: Keep it to one page, especially as an undergrad or recent grad. The quicker a recruiter can scan your resume, the better your chances they'll read it thoroughly!
- Use Action Words: Terms like "developed," "organized," and "implemented" can make your activities sound dynamic and impactful. Steer clear of passive phrases like "assisted with" or "familiar with."
- Quantify Achievements: Where possible, add numbers to underscore your accomplishments, e.g., "boosted club membership by 20%."
- Proofread: Always double-check your resume for errors multiple times, and maybe get a second pair of eyes from a friend or mentor. Tools like Grammarly can be a big help too.
Plus, here’s a resume writing guide I recommend checking out for straightforward advice: How to Make a Resume (Examples and Template) Good luck out there!
Jodi Adams
Talent Acquisition
6
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Jodi’s Answer
There are many different formats someone could use to create their resume but I'd choose a format that works well for your background and for the type of job you're looking to find. You can find resume templates online. If you're in the beginning of your career, I'd recommend creating a one-page resume highlighting your education, any type of experience you've acquired while or after attending school, and create a "profile" section at the top of your resume describing yourself and type of job you'd like to find.
To apply to jobs, check out job board sites like Indeed.com, careerbuilder.com, and other job boards where employers post their open positions where you can apply using your resume. If there are specific companies you'd like to work for, you can go to their website and apply to jobs posted on their career site as well. I'd recommend creating a LinkedIn profile after high school since this is where most employers seek out candidates for professional roles. LinkedIn has a fantastic job board as well.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
To apply to jobs, check out job board sites like Indeed.com, careerbuilder.com, and other job boards where employers post their open positions where you can apply using your resume. If there are specific companies you'd like to work for, you can go to their website and apply to jobs posted on their career site as well. I'd recommend creating a LinkedIn profile after high school since this is where most employers seek out candidates for professional roles. LinkedIn has a fantastic job board as well.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
Yaz M
Recruit
50
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Yaz’s Answer
Make sure to include your education, work history, and relevant skills in your resume. Tailor each resume specifically for the job you're applying for, and try to use keywords that match the job description. For example, if the job requires excellent customer service skills and you possess them, be sure to mention it on your resume. Similarly, if the job requires Power BI expertise and you have it, don't forget to list it!
To get your resume noticed, consider using LinkedIn or applying directly on the company's website. Additionally, if you have a friend who already works at the company you're interested in, ask them to refer you and pass your resume along to the right person. This can be an effective way to get your foot in the door.
To get your resume noticed, consider using LinkedIn or applying directly on the company's website. Additionally, if you have a friend who already works at the company you're interested in, ask them to refer you and pass your resume along to the right person. This can be an effective way to get your foot in the door.
Michael DeFranco
Recruiter/Sourcer
3
Answers
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Updated
Michael’s Answer
There is no correct way or one format to create a resume. I see all types of formats and styles. Here are some tips I think are useful when creating one.
First I would make sure your resume is easy to read. Separate the main sections you want to highlight. You are a student so I would put your education and major first. Add any clubs or activities you are a part of. If you have held any leadership roles or play on sports teams you can add that too.
Look at the job you are applying for and look at the job requirements and see if you have done any of these in school or previous jobs. Add that to your resume.
Also make sure you have no spelling errors or mispunctuation. I know it sounds dumb but I still see this problem everyday.
Keep the font you choose simple, you do not need a fancy or goofy font. I would put your main sections in bold font as well.
Hope this helps and good luck!
First I would make sure your resume is easy to read. Separate the main sections you want to highlight. You are a student so I would put your education and major first. Add any clubs or activities you are a part of. If you have held any leadership roles or play on sports teams you can add that too.
Look at the job you are applying for and look at the job requirements and see if you have done any of these in school or previous jobs. Add that to your resume.
Also make sure you have no spelling errors or mispunctuation. I know it sounds dumb but I still see this problem everyday.
Keep the font you choose simple, you do not need a fancy or goofy font. I would put your main sections in bold font as well.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Tony D'Acunto
recruiter
3
Answers
Hypoluxo, FL
Updated
Tony’s Answer
I suggest using an internet search engine to explore popular resume styles for the specific field you're aiming for. Additionally, you can find complimentary tools that assist in creating your resume layout.
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Kelsey
Jazmine Spears
Recruiter
11
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Jazmine’s Answer
There are many ways to formulate a resume. The main things that hiring teams look for are employer, employer dates, job title, and specific descriptions as to what you did in each job. I would highlight any achievements, goals you met or exceeded, and quantify your examples as well! I hope this helps!
Rachel Mays
Recruiter
3
Answers
Midlothian, Virginia
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Your first step would be to get a resume created. I would encourage you to use google and look at examples of different resume formats. Also, a counselor at your school could potentially work with you on creating and reviewing your resume.
Once your resume is created, there are a few ways that you can get your resume in front of people. The first way would be by going door to door and asking to speak to a hiring manager. You can then hand your resume directly to the hiring manger. Another way would be submitting your resume to different job boards like Indeed or CareerBuilder. When you post your resume on those sites, people are able to search based on different key words. You can also apply directly to jobs on those site.
Once your resume is created, there are a few ways that you can get your resume in front of people. The first way would be by going door to door and asking to speak to a hiring manager. You can then hand your resume directly to the hiring manger. Another way would be submitting your resume to different job boards like Indeed or CareerBuilder. When you post your resume on those sites, people are able to search based on different key words. You can also apply directly to jobs on those site.
Thank you, Rachel for the advice.
Kelsey
Tae Kim
Tax Senior
2
Answers
California, California
Updated
Tae’s Answer
Hello Kesley,
There are numerous resume formats available. I highly recommend using Google to search for a template that suits your needs, or reach out to friends who have been successful in their careers.
The most crucial aspect of your resume is the content. For your first job, be sure to include your education, internships, and any extracurricular activities. It's even better if these activities are related to the job you're applying for. Don't forget to showcase activities that highlight your personality, such as organizational involvement that demonstrates teamwork or leadership skills.
Once you've drafted your resume, share it with friends who have already joined a company or have work experience for their input. Their feedback can be invaluable in making your resume stronger and more effective.
I hope this helps! :)
There are numerous resume formats available. I highly recommend using Google to search for a template that suits your needs, or reach out to friends who have been successful in their careers.
The most crucial aspect of your resume is the content. For your first job, be sure to include your education, internships, and any extracurricular activities. It's even better if these activities are related to the job you're applying for. Don't forget to showcase activities that highlight your personality, such as organizational involvement that demonstrates teamwork or leadership skills.
Once you've drafted your resume, share it with friends who have already joined a company or have work experience for their input. Their feedback can be invaluable in making your resume stronger and more effective.
I hope this helps! :)
Benjamin Vangoor
Talent Acquisition
4
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Benjamin’s Answer
The best way to format a resume is keep it pretty simple and to the point. Be detailed on the resume but no need to put outside activities. Keep it professional. Employers do not like super long resumes. they want to see the information quickly as they likely have a lot of resumes to look at and time is of the essence.
Benjamin, thank you!
Kelsey