With everything happening online these days, it might seem like finding a job requires no more effort than visiting a free classifieds page with plenty of job ads, filling out a few boxes, and clicking submit. However, this attitude totally neglects a key part of the job application process - a solid resume. However, if you are a student or looking for a job for the first time, you might not know exactly how this works, or feel intimidated by the fact that you do not have a lot of work experience to help you fill out your resume. Never fear, for here are a few suggestions to help you present the best version of yourself, and land your dream job!
The first thing you need to do is find a template to work from. A lot of software programs offer standard templates, but a good thing to do would be to contact someone in the field where you are searching for a job, and ask if you can see a sample resume. This will give you a good sense of what kind of things to highlight, and how to order your accomplishment and qualifications. Additionally, if you are applying for jobs that you found through a job search engine websites, look to see if they have a template. A lot of these sites will suggest you format your resume in a particular way to be easily uploaded and shared with your potential employers.
With a template in hand, fill out as much as you can. Even if you do not have work experience directly related to the types of jobs you are applying for, think about how your education, or extracurricular and volunteer activities might pertain to the kind of job you want. If you are applying for an administrative assistant job, do not forget to mention the time you organized an event for a campus organization – a lot of these skills are transferrable, and employers recognize this.
Another thing to keep in mind is tailoring your resume according to the job. If you are only applying for jobs that are very similar to one another, this might not be necessary. However, if you are applying for a wide range, do not assume that there is only one way to make a resume to represent yourself. You should highlight different skills, qualifications and experiences according to the needs of the job you are applying for.
The final, and possibly most important, thing to remember when creating a resume is to proofread it! Nothing will take you out of consideration for a job faster than a resume full of spelling and grammatical errors. Read it yourself, have a friend or family member read it, and make sure it is perfect before sending it off and landing the perfect job!
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About the Author
Mary Johnson is a freelance editor specializing in career-related articles, currently working for UK's independent job search engine ToTheGo.
