6 Resume Tips for New Graduates

Finals are over, no more classes, no more homework, Freedom! But wait, now what? Time to put that degree, certification or credential to work by finding a job! How do you get your foot in the door or find that first job after graduation? Having a solid resume that speaks to who you are will help. Here are some basic tips to help get your resume market-ready:

1. Having a strong opening statement to start your resume will be the first thing that catches the eye of a hiring manager or HR recruiter. Sell yourself by showcasing your values and soft skills and align those values and skills with the prospective employer’s needs. What can you bring to the table to add value that is unique compared to other potential candidates? After all, adding value is the name of the game for employees. If you stop adding value, you’ll find yourself without a job.

2. Fill your resume with all the internships and volunteer positions you’ve had, including those going back to high school. Treat these as if they were full time positions on your resume. Ensure you list key accomplishments and things you learned during your short stints in these roles. Look for ways to tie your experience at former companies / organizations with the roles you are applying for. Customizing your resume for each job you apply for will increase your odds at getting that interview and allow you to sell yourself in person.

3. The Basics. Spell check and grammar check your resume. This sounds super simple and should go without saying but so many people do not take the extra time to review their resume. Have a family member or a friend look over your resume. Another set of eyes will help find simple mistakes. Another editing tip is to read your resume out loud, hearing the words and information is a great way to ensure it make sense and sounds right. One of the fastest ways for a prospective employer to dismiss your resume is a lack of care when putting it together; simple spelling, grammar or formatting mistakes may be the difference between your resume being read or not. Formatting your resume into an easy-to-read format is also key. Use consistent spacing and indentation throughout. At this stage in your career, or lack thereof, it is best to keep your resume to one page in length.

4. Include all your technical skills even if you don’t think the jobs you are applying for would look for them. You never know whom you’ll impress. When being compared to other candidates, having additional skills that your competition doesn’t will set you apart. Additionally, you are entering the word of online applications and applicant tracking system (ATS) software; these systems may be looking for specific skills so if you have the skill, include it!

5. List activities or other achievements you’ve made in your life. Showing compassion and dedication goes a long way with employers. Were you in the Boy or Girl Scouts in high school and achieved the Gold Award or became an Eagle Scout? Mention this accomplishment on your resume as only approximately 5% of girl scouts and 4% of boy scouts ever achieve these rankings. List extracurricular activities you participated in (college athletics, chess club, intramural sports, volunteering, etc.). With the lack of professional experience, listing these activities will help develop the foundation from where your skills came from.

6. Do an internet search on yourself and see what you can find. As a former hiring manager of new graduates, I can attest that companies do this in today’s world of social media platforms. There is so much that can be learned about a person by typing their name into a search engine. Internet Reputation cleansing might be something you’ll want to do if you think this can hurt your chances in landing a position that you really want. Companies like Reputation Management or Reputation Defender will help you fix or protect you from what’s out there. Also, consider setting your social media profiles to private and make sure your profile picture is appropriate.

Keep these 6 simple concepts in mind when building your personal brand on paper and you’ll be sure to land that interview to showcase who you are and what you can bring to the table. Check out our other blog posts about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for ways to gain an additional edge in getting your resume looked at and Why Hire a professional Resume Writer? if you think you need professional resume writing help. Be sure to check out our Services for more information on ways we can help set your apart.