Resume Help
What is a resume?
A resume is tool that employers use to review qualities and characteristics of applicants and choose who may receive an interview or get the job.
What makes my resume stand out?
Your resume highlights what makes you a unique job applicant. Look below for more information on what to include on your resume and how to format it!
What do I include in my resume?
Your Contact Information
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Include your full name, phone number, email, and address to ensure employers can reach you. Try to use a professional sounding email, usually a variation of your name.
Summary
Two-three sentences that introduce the employer to who you are and your goals. This statement also explains why you would want to work for that employer and emphasize your enthusiasm.
Your Education
List any schools you have attended or courses that you have taken listing your start date and graduation date as well as your GPA or honors if you would like.Â
Work Experience
Include any form of work, not limited to paid jobs. This can include shadowing, volunteering, or any significant responsibilities that you have handled. Make sure to use action words when you are describing them!
Skills
List about 5-10 skills that are relevant to the job that you are applying for and that highlight your unique ability. These can include soft (interpersonal) skills and hard (technical) skills.
Extracurricular Activities
Adding a section that highlights you hobbies, interests, and extracurricular activities show your dedication and personality. These can be anything from clubs at school or any outside commitments.
References
Adding references gives employers someone to contact to ask about you. This person can be a boss, coach, mentor, or anyone you know that can speak on your skills and character. Let them know before hand that you are using them to apply to jobs and get their permission.Â
Tip!
You have more to offer than you think!
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Employers can easily tell if something is missing or may not be correct. Never lie on your resume. If an employer thinks that something on your resume is inaccurate, you may be removed from being considered for the job. Be confident in your accomplishments!
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Also, try to close "gaps" in your resume. Gaps are long period of time where you do not list a position or activity that you are participating in. Employers often wonder what you were doing during that time. Try to list some activity whether it being volunteering, shadowing, etc.
Layout and Formatting
-Create your resume on a platform like Canva or Google Drive. They offer templates that make it easy to fill in your information without having to format the entire resume.
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- The layout has to be clean and easy to read. Use a non script font in a legible size, using bold font for headings of sections.Â
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-Use bullet points so the information is easier to read and understand. This also helps your resume not look cluttered.
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-Try and limit your resume to one or two pages. Being concise helps employers digest all of the information while getting a sense of who you are. Quality matters more than quantity.
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-Double check that your name and contact information is spelled correctly. Even one letter or number in your email or phone number can prevent the employer from reaching you.
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-Have someone you trust like a parent or mentor proofread your resume. They will be able to check for typos and give feedback on your work.
Mock Resume Breakdown
Include contact information so the job can call or email you to let you know if you got the position
Name and current title
Adding where you went to school shows employers what education you have so far
Including a summary shares basic background information, your goals, and what you are hoping to gain.
Skills help to highlight the strengths that make you special and unique for a job. They help show employers why you would be a valuable asset to their team. They can be soft skills, skills that shape the way you interact with others, or hard skills, technical and specific abilities tailored for the job you are applying to.
By adding your experience, you show employers your career progression, how your past differentiates you, and proves your skill set.
Activities and honors help to show what types of activities you are involved in as well as what makes you a unique candidate.