Quick Resume Workshop

Resumes can be tough and honestly, it seems as if every employer wants something different. But, with that being said I can keep complaining or I can create a few resume copies that will fit the different jobs and internship areas I want to apply for.

Education -

Your education section should be filled with the degrees or diplomas you have earned. For instance, high school, AA degree, Bachelors, Masters, and so on. Detail the dates you attended, the locations, etc. This allows employees to see when you finished or your proposed graduation date. My resume has my bachelor’s and master’s degree, and my time spent in a Spanish immersion school.

Experience -

Experience is time you’ve spent doing something that is relevant to your career or internship opportunity. This was a hard pill for me to swallow because I have changed paths at least three times and have experience in those various areas. Yet, if I’m applying for a writing position at a think tank, do you think they care I did a few medical internships? The answer is probably no. This is because even though it’s really interesting, it didn’t necessarily prepare me for the job I’m applying for. Now, if you have no experience in your field, I would add the other experience to show you have done something.

Sometimes people think that the jobs they worked in college or high school at Chick-fil-a, Publix, or anywhere else, shouldn’t be put on a resume, but in fact, it is quite valuable. You learn many different skills throughout these jobs as well as represent your time management ability. So, I wouldn’t knock it off your resume, especially if you spent a long time in the position.

Skills - (There are hard + soft skills)

I mainly focus on hard skills on my resume, but that’s just me!

Skills are a big one and although you may want to oversell your ability at times, it isn’t the best idea. Especially when it comes to languages or anything with computers. Overselling your ability to speak a language can you put in a rough position and also tells the employer that you oversell and underdeliver and that you don’t have a good gauge on your personal ability.

For instance, writing Spanish on a resume should be accompanied by (fluent/native, limited working proficiency, professional working proficiency, conversational) or using the language scale of (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). This is very important when applying to schools or programs abroad, and I highly recommend using that scale to describe your abilities.

This section is good for -

Computer skills (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)

Languages (Programming languages too!)

Software, databases, or programs that you have used or currently use

Certifications -

You can create a section on your resume discussing your certifications. There are many ways to get certifications whether it be through your job, university, or an online platform. If you have little experience in the field you are applying to search out some certifications to complete. Alison is a great platform to get free certifications in many different areas. (This is also a great idea for anyone trying to change career paths)

GPA -

I don’t place the highest amount of emphasis on GPA, but if you have a 3.5 or above I would throw it on your resume. It’s not likely to hurt you by putting it on there and if you worked hard for it - add it on.

Style -

Styles of resumes are very interesting. I personally have a simple black and white, Times New Roman resume with a bold header on top. I found that this is best for most of the jobs I will be applying for. For instance, applying for a position at the D.O.D. (U.S. Department of Defense) should you have a creative colorful resume or one that’s sleek and cut to the chase? (the second option!)

Applying for a journalism position at a creative magazine in NYC, would a colorful resume with bold and quirky fonts be better, or plain black and white and straight to the point? (the first one!)

Whatever style you choose, make sure your dates line up, your titles line up and nothing is left somewhere it shouldn’t be. Regardless of style, there shouldn’t be typos or any sort of unwanted mess.

Length -

I stick with one page for the length of my resume. Yet - this is different depending on the job or field you are applying in. If you have ten years of experience in the army and worked a civilian job afterward, your experience will be over a page and that is okay. It’s important, relevant, and will most likely help you get the position.

The main thing with resumes is to not add fluff. If it isn’t relevant or important - don’t add it just to add it. Make sure you’re able to discuss what you put on your resume, if you can’t - take it off.

I create many different resumes for different fields I apply to, different types of degrees, internships, and especially jobs abroad. What an American applying to jobs overseas may not understand, is that something like a Greek organization is not well understood in a country such as France. Small elements like these are important to notice so you can decide to keep, delete or rephrase them.

Volunteer Experience -

My personal volunteer experience, I hold very close to my heart. I love what I was able to accomplish and how I was able to spend my time. As my experience and skills begin to increase, I find myself having to leave some of my volunteer experience out or altogether. I don’t know the answer for what is best in this case, but even if it was something I loved doing yet it wasn’t relevant and took up too much space, I removed it.

Resumes are not one size fits all, they are tedious and a bit annoying but they are how we represent ourselves in one shot on paper. So, do it well and do it correctly.

Be sure to research your field and find what others say about advice, resume formatting, etc.

Anyone in University, your school may provide + (most likely does) resume assistance or review help.

Resume examples -

https://www.myperfectresume.com/resume/examples

My door is always open to review or help with resumes as well! My email is on the contact page!