Resume Tips If You’re Fresh Out of College

If you’re a recent graduate heading off into the often-terrifying world of the job market, you’ll need a strategy for landing that first job. Since most graduates don’t have extensive work experience—a handful of internships, college programs that offered a few career skills, perhaps—it’s important to create a resume that reflects some of the key qualities employers are looking for. Instead of turning your resume into a play-by-play of your college activities, you can create a profile and resume of your skills and experience that can be directly applied to the job you’re applying for. Here are some resume tips if you’re jumping into the job market for the first time:

1. Don’t use a generic objective statement. If you do decide to include goals/aspiration/objective statement in the resume, make sure it’s not too general. The best way to write this portion is to tailor it to the job you’re applying for; this can give you a competitive edge, and help the employer envision you as the future employee of choice.

2. Include your professional goals in a bulleted list. Help your prospective employer understand that you’re serious about your career by listing some specific goals for this position and beyond. Think about how you can convince the employer that you’re not only a good match, but are a worthwhile investment for the company for the long-term.

3. Include all contact information including a working e-mail address and link to any portfolios. More and more employers are turning online to find information about you, and any links to work published online or otherwise can help highlight your abilities in a few simple steps. Make sure your e-mail address is working, and pick a username that includes your first name so you can present yourself as professionally as possible. Unless the employer specifically asks for it, avoid including any MySpace, Friendster, or other social network profiles at all costs!

4. Don’t be afraid to ‘customize’ your resume according to the job you’re applying for. This can help you really narrow down your skill set and make you a strong candidate for the position.

5. Provide a list of former positions held. Make sure each position you’ve held through high school and college is on your resume—even if it was just a serving job. The goal here is to demonstrate your work ethic, and the best way to present each one is to create a bulleted list with highlights of skills and duties that may pertain to the job you’re applying for.

6. Include references. Even if the employer hasn’t requested references just yet, it doesn’t hurt to include contact information for professors, former employers, or anyone else who can speak highly of you. Take the time to ‘recruit’ some references who can be contacted immediately if needed, and include basic information your relationship with each of them.

7. Turn to mentors or a career counselor to review your final draft. A fresh pair of eyes who can critique and help you edit the resume can help fine-tune it to perfection. Career counselors are available to alumni, so don’t be afraid to find out how to reach out to your university’s resources.

Even if you don’t have any work experience at all, there are ways to highlight projects and work you’ve accomplished during college that demonstrate your skills. Submitting a professional and well-rounded resume requires planning and organization so you can emphasize your best talents.