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What are some important things I should add to my resume? What should I avoid adding to my resume?
I'm planning on getting a job this summer once school is out, and I would like to begin preparing my resume for applying to my first job and future jobs.
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8 answers
Updated
Nada’s Answer
This is a great question Savannah!
There are some great recommendations above. Something else to consider is the way you present yourself via resume/ CV.
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience or a fresh graduate wanting to move into teaching, having a clear, succinct, and impactful CV is crucial. Given that you've recently left school, a one-page CV would be ideal, but remember, it needs to be distinctive.
Skills are transferable! Its great to check out your dream job on LinkedIn or other job sites, identify the necessary skills and then consider how you can acquire these skills through a more accessible role, such Customer Service experience in retail or Fast food OR even at school, if you had any accolade's from school that demonstrated a great work ethic eg letter from teacher. You can also tailor your CV to emphasize Transferable Skills over specific job titles, making you a more attractive candidate for a wider range of roles, rather than being restricted to jobs based on your previous titles. To find examples, just search for Transferable skills CV example online.
Also, I discovered an outstanding CV template on Etsy, which I bought and simply filled in the gaps. Typically, the first page serves as an introduction or cover letter, presenting who you are and why you believe you're the perfect fit for the role. The second page is your actual CV, highlighting your relevant experience and skills for the position.
I hope this advice is beneficial. And remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. You may start in one area and end up in another - there are not short cuts in life. That's completely fine. Embrace the journey!
There are some great recommendations above. Something else to consider is the way you present yourself via resume/ CV.
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience or a fresh graduate wanting to move into teaching, having a clear, succinct, and impactful CV is crucial. Given that you've recently left school, a one-page CV would be ideal, but remember, it needs to be distinctive.
Skills are transferable! Its great to check out your dream job on LinkedIn or other job sites, identify the necessary skills and then consider how you can acquire these skills through a more accessible role, such Customer Service experience in retail or Fast food OR even at school, if you had any accolade's from school that demonstrated a great work ethic eg letter from teacher. You can also tailor your CV to emphasize Transferable Skills over specific job titles, making you a more attractive candidate for a wider range of roles, rather than being restricted to jobs based on your previous titles. To find examples, just search for Transferable skills CV example online.
Also, I discovered an outstanding CV template on Etsy, which I bought and simply filled in the gaps. Typically, the first page serves as an introduction or cover letter, presenting who you are and why you believe you're the perfect fit for the role. The second page is your actual CV, highlighting your relevant experience and skills for the position.
I hope this advice is beneficial. And remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. You may start in one area and end up in another - there are not short cuts in life. That's completely fine. Embrace the journey!
Updated
Chloe’s Answer
Absolutely! Here's a friendlier version of your text:
It's fantastic to include things like volunteer work and extracurricular activities, alongside your academic accomplishments. These give a well-rounded picture of who you are. Try to give a quick rundown of your roles and the best bits from each experience. Bullet points are a great choice because they're so easy to skim through. And remember, triple-check everything to show you've got an eye for detail. Don't forget to list your skills too, both the technical ones and the people skills.
On the other hand, it's best to leave out anything that can't be verified, like a personal opinion of your past experience. Long blocks of text can be hard to read, so try to avoid those. And finally, keep your personal details to a minimum, unless they're directly related to the job you're applying for.
It's fantastic to include things like volunteer work and extracurricular activities, alongside your academic accomplishments. These give a well-rounded picture of who you are. Try to give a quick rundown of your roles and the best bits from each experience. Bullet points are a great choice because they're so easy to skim through. And remember, triple-check everything to show you've got an eye for detail. Don't forget to list your skills too, both the technical ones and the people skills.
On the other hand, it's best to leave out anything that can't be verified, like a personal opinion of your past experience. Long blocks of text can be hard to read, so try to avoid those. And finally, keep your personal details to a minimum, unless they're directly related to the job you're applying for.
Updated
Sungwoo (Chunga)’s Answer
Absolutely agree with Hakeem Ola Saka's advice above!
Remember to customize your resume to spotlight the skills and qualities your dream company values. Each company has its own unique requirements, so a little bit of research will go a long way.
Also, it's a great idea to keep your resume updated regularly, especially when you have new career milestones to share like a new job, a promotion, or significant projects. That way, all your achievements are fresh in your mind.
Wishing you all the best in your job hunt!
Remember to customize your resume to spotlight the skills and qualities your dream company values. Each company has its own unique requirements, so a little bit of research will go a long way.
Also, it's a great idea to keep your resume updated regularly, especially when you have new career milestones to share like a new job, a promotion, or significant projects. That way, all your achievements are fresh in your mind.
Wishing you all the best in your job hunt!
Updated
Hakeem Ola’s Answer
When crafting your resume, focus on highlighting your strengths, experiences, and skills while keeping it concise and relevant. Here are some important things to add and avoid:
### Important Things to Add:
1. **Contact Information**: Your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if relevant).
2. **Professional Summary**: A brief section at the top summarizing your career goals and what makes you a strong candidate.
3. **Key Skills**: Highlight specific skills relevant to the job (e.g., communication, language proficiency, technical skills, project management).
4. **Work Experience**: List relevant positions with details of your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your successes where possible (e.g., “Increased website traffic by 30%”).
5. **Education**: Include degrees, certifications, or any relevant academic achievements.
6. **Certifications/Trainings**: List any relevant courses or certifications, especially those that apply to the job you are seeking.
7. **Achievements**: Include accomplishments that showcase your contributions, such as awards, projects, or measurable success.
8. **Volunteer Work/Internships**: If applicable, add any volunteer work or internships, especially if they relate to the field.
### What to Avoid:
1. **Irrelevant Work Experience**: Skip jobs that don’t relate to the position you're applying for, unless they highlight transferable skills.
2. **Personal Information**: Avoid including personal details like age, marital status, religion, or photos unless required by the employer.
3. **Objective Statements**: Instead of a generic objective, use a summary that’s specific and tailored to the job you want.
4. **Too Much Detail**: Keep each section concise—don’t overwhelm recruiters with too much information. Stick to key points and achievements.
5. **Outdated Skills**: Avoid listing skills that are no longer relevant or technologies that have become obsolete.
6. **Unprofessional Email Address**: Make sure your contact information is professional (e.g., avoid casual or outdated email addresses).
Would you like help tailoring a specific section of your resume?
### Important Things to Add:
1. **Contact Information**: Your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if relevant).
2. **Professional Summary**: A brief section at the top summarizing your career goals and what makes you a strong candidate.
3. **Key Skills**: Highlight specific skills relevant to the job (e.g., communication, language proficiency, technical skills, project management).
4. **Work Experience**: List relevant positions with details of your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your successes where possible (e.g., “Increased website traffic by 30%”).
5. **Education**: Include degrees, certifications, or any relevant academic achievements.
6. **Certifications/Trainings**: List any relevant courses or certifications, especially those that apply to the job you are seeking.
7. **Achievements**: Include accomplishments that showcase your contributions, such as awards, projects, or measurable success.
8. **Volunteer Work/Internships**: If applicable, add any volunteer work or internships, especially if they relate to the field.
### What to Avoid:
1. **Irrelevant Work Experience**: Skip jobs that don’t relate to the position you're applying for, unless they highlight transferable skills.
2. **Personal Information**: Avoid including personal details like age, marital status, religion, or photos unless required by the employer.
3. **Objective Statements**: Instead of a generic objective, use a summary that’s specific and tailored to the job you want.
4. **Too Much Detail**: Keep each section concise—don’t overwhelm recruiters with too much information. Stick to key points and achievements.
5. **Outdated Skills**: Avoid listing skills that are no longer relevant or technologies that have become obsolete.
6. **Unprofessional Email Address**: Make sure your contact information is professional (e.g., avoid casual or outdated email addresses).
Would you like help tailoring a specific section of your resume?
Updated
Julie’s Answer
Ensure you customize your application to fit the specific job you're seeking. Emphasize the skills or accomplishments that are crucial for that role. Give careful thought to this section, spotlighting the most pertinent experiences, regardless of their size. Remember, the importance lies in relevance, not magnitude!
Updated
Ava’s Answer
Fantastic work on being proactive in getting ready for your first job hunt! (Assuming you're a high school student on the lookout for your initial employment) It's crucial to incorporate your academic scores, participation in additional activities outside school, any volunteer work you've done, any casual jobs you've undertaken like babysitting, and your means of contact! Additionally, start considering people who can vouch for you as references when you're set to submit your applications!
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Add all volunteer experience (and if you don't have much, you can begin volunteering now -- serving meals, helping at one-day events or even doing errands for neighbors). Any additional activities such as music groups, sports, etc. are good to include.
Keep it short -- no more than one page.
Keep it short -- no more than one page.
Updated
Keith’s Answer
Boost your resume by tailoring it to align with the job description and meet the necessary requirements. Keep it brief and to the point. Include any volunteer work you've done, it can make a significant difference. Incorporate your LinkedIn profile link, it's a great way to showcase your professional persona. Embrace positive language, it reflects your attitude. Refrain from including your photo, gender, or age, as these are not essential. Lastly, sidestep long sentences, they can make your resume harder to read.