You’ve just graduated college and the world is your oyster! Or is it? You might be feeling a little lost to taking your first step in the “real world.” Cheers to you for here are a few tips on nailing your resume.
Recent college graduates, this one is for you!
You’ve just completed an amazing milestone – earning your college degree. But what comes next? How do you turn that degree into a job? The first step is creating a resume.
A well-crafted resume is the key to opening the door to your dream job. We’ll show you how to highlight your skills and experience in a way that will make employers take notice.
In this post:
Here are 8 tips for recent college graduates on creating their first resume:
Leap into your career journey by following these simple steps:
1. Start By Organizing Your Information
Before you start writing, take some time to gather information about your education and work experience. You’ll need dates, locations, and details about your roles and responsibilities in each position.
This will be the foundation of your resume, so it’s important to have all the information you need before you start.
2. Choose a Resume Style
There are many different types of resumes, so it’s important to choose the style that best highlights your skills and experience. Chronological resumes list work experience in reverse order, starting with your most recent position.
Functional resumes focus on skills and experiences, rather than chronological work history. Combination resumes are a mix of both styles.
Types of Resume Format:
- Chronological: Lists work experience in reverse order, starting with your most recent position.
- Functional: Focuses on skills and experiences, rather than chronological work history.
- Combination: A mix of both styles.
Free Resume Templates
If you don’t have the slightest idea where to start, there are plenty of free resume templates out on the interwebs where you can simply input your information and customize it to your liking in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Here are a few free professional resume templates that we found:
3. Write Your Contact Information
At the top of your CV, include your contact information. Include your name, address, email, and phone number. If you have a website or blog, you can include that here as well.
4. Add Your Education
Next, list your education. Include the name of the school, the degree you earned, and the year it was awarded. If you have any honors or awards from your time in school, be sure to list them here.
Your future employer might also be interested in your coursework, so feel free to include relevant classes you took.
5. List Your Work Experience
Now it’s time to list your work experience. Start with your most recent position and include the company name, your title, and the dates you worked there.
Then, describe your responsibilities in each role. Use bullets to make your post more readable by breaking it down into small, easy-to-read sections. Be sure to use action words like “managed,” “led,” and “created.”
6. State Your Skills
In this section, you’ll list the skills that make you a great candidate for the job. If you have any technical skills, be sure to list them here. You may also include soft skills such as communication and problem-solving. If you have any relevant certification or training, be sure to mention it here as well. These may be things like CPR certification or software training.
7. Polish Your Resume
After you’ve written your resume, it’s time to give it a final edit. Check for grammar mistakes and make sure all the information is accurate. Proofread your resume to make sure it looks polished and professional.
Then, have someone else take a look at it. They might see things you missed. Polish up your resume until it shines!
8. Save Your Resume as a PDF
When you’re finished, save your resume as a PDF file. This will ensure that the formatting stays the same when employers open it.
9. Get Feedback
Have a few people look over your resume to proofread for grammatical or clerical errors. If it’s someone close to you, they may even remember key points that you forgot to include.
You can also upload your resume to Jobscan, and their software will optimize your resume for any job, highlighting the key experience and skills that recruiters need to see.
After following these steps, you’ll have a resume that will help you land the job of your dreams! Just remember to keep it updated as you gain new skills and experience.
How to Write a Strong Cover Letter
When you’re applying for a job, it’s important to send a strong cover letter along with your resume. A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from the competition and get the job you want.
Be sure to keep your resume updated as you gain new skills and experience
Here are some tips on how to write a distinguished cover letter:
- Start by introducing yourself and stating the position you’re applying for.
- Next, describe why you’re interested in the job. Be sure to mention how your skills and experience make you a perfect fit for the role.
- End with a call to action, asking the employer to contact you for an interview.
- Polish your letter until it’s perfect, and then send it along with your resume!
There are also free cover letter templates at the above links for free resume templates to make this task easier!
The job market can be tough, but if you follow these steps and tips, you’ll be one step closer to landing the job of your dreams.
Final thoughts
Your first step on the corporate ladder starts with a great resume. Ascertain your first resume after college is top-notch by following the tips and steps in this article!
Now that you know how to create a resume, it’s time to start writing yours. Good luck on your job hunt!
