Resume Writing
Get your resume in shape for jobs and Internships- Before you rush out to find the perfect job or internship, you will need to write a resume. And not just any resume, but the kind that will separate you from all the people applying to your college or eager to land that dream job or internship.
The Four Key Elements
1. Volunteerism- No matter where you are applying or what you plan to study in college, potential employers want to know you are a well-rounded member of society. Have you volunteered at the local soup kitchen or at a local hospital? If not, you should start to look for ways to get involved in your community and gain experience in a field related to your interests.
2. Club/Association Membership- It is an added bonus for younger high school students to list any clubs and/or associations they have belonged to, such as: National Honor Society, Art Club, or the Debate Team.Never underestimate your patrician in groups.
3. Computer Proficient- Let's face it, technology is everywhere! Knowledge of computers will most likely be a requirement for any job. List any and all experience you have with computers, naming the actual programs you are familiar with.
4. Other Languages-The world is getting smaller and smaller, especially in the job market. Knowing a second or third language can put you at an advantage over other candidates.
Putting it all together- While you definitely should not go over a page, do not feel that you have to use the resume template that is found in most word processing programs. These models, though helpful, are often generic looking. It is good to go the extra mile to show employers that you are as creative as you are intelligent.
Action words-Be sure to describe your roles and accomplishments with strong action words and key terms that will pop out at employers. These include words such as: team work, multi-tasking, executed, organized, performed, maintained, supervised, managed, directed, developed, and implemented.
Writing Style- The wording of your resume is just as important as the look. You may have to write several rough drafts to come up with one that will really shine. Here are a few writing style rules to keep in mind:use matching verb tenses,keep all descriptions short, full sentences are not necessary, but be consistent with punctuation.
Resume Resources- Several job search engines have resume-building pages on their websites that will provide you step-by-step guidelines to write a resume. Some popular sites include:
