3 answers
Savannah
Student
Big Lake, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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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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3 answers
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
322
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
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.
Ava O’Hara
School psychologist
9
Answers
Buffalo, New York
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!
Hakeem Ola Saka
Freelancer
48
Answers
Maryland Heights, Missouri
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?