Entering the professional world is intimidating! You are about to get a taste of the real world and begin job searching. And part of it also means you are about to craft your very first resume!
Panicking, are you? Well…The first resume is always the hardest to write! There’s typically just not much that you can put out there. The real challenge is selling your work experience when you have no experience at all! So how do you do it? And how do you identify your marketable assets and present them in a way that makes you look like an ideal candidate?
Read on for some important rules to ensure your first resume measures up:
It’s never too easy to start from scratch!
Everyone starts out with zero experience! You might flounder and falter at the outset but eventually you’ll come up with a resume that will act as your career launch pad! But before you start penning down your credentials, you need to keep some essential principles in mind. Never try to trick, copy paste, over-commit, be verbose or sound unprofessional. Instead, be honest, confident, crisp and clear. Understand that your resume does not have to narrate the history of your life. It has to simply showcase your capabilities to potential employers, and tell them what value you can deliver.
Start with the layout:
Search for a resume template online that you find most appealing. Avoid anything that is too fancy or complex. Start with your contact details- your address, mobile number and email address. Get yourself a new email address if your current one sounds too personal or unprofessional. Also make sure that you are reachable on all these addresses at all times. Your resume should be in a font that is easy to read, such as Ariel, Times New Roman or Verdana. Capital letters or bold texts for headings are more effective.
Make a combination resume:
Instead of creating a conventional chronological résumé, think of a combination résumé. This format lets you highlight your professional skills by assembling them near the top of your document. For instance, you can have a segment titled “Computer Skills” or one called “Voluntary Experience.” Don’t limit yourself to skills you’ve honed through regular jobs only. The ones you’ve gained through volunteer work, internships or social committees can be just as significant.
A brief and arresting summary:
The true purpose of your résumé is to market you! So you have to package it effectively and merchandise the product to attract the right audience. For the main body of your resume, write a short and crisp profile that best describes your skills and accomplishments and gives employers a “snapshot” of the kind of career you’re aiming for. Start with the details of any formal work experience that you already have, beginning with the latest. Show company names, your job titles and include internships, significant summer jobs, voluntary work or other experiences that might have added to your skills. Use bullets instead of paragraphs as they are easier to read. But add things only which are relevant, don’t make them up to pad your resume. It’s ok to have no work experience at all. In a situation like this, choose activities where you’ve played a pivotal role or have demonstrated growth. Remember- employers prefer quality, not quantity!
Enrich with the right keywords:
In times when companies are using keywords screening software to filter through piles of resumes, if yours doesn’t have the right blend of job-specific keywords, it might stay buried in the digital dungeon or the rejected pile even if you’re totally qualified for the job. So cull out jargons or buzzwords that are unique to the job and industry you are applying for. Pay close attention to words that specify skills, experience, academic qualifications or any unique expertise that the position requires. You can add to your list by visiting industry trend websites.
Qualifications:
Mention your educational qualifications at the end. Give the dates, the names of the schools or colleges and the qualifications. Mention your grades where you did exceptionally well or projects that might be significant to any future jobs. Current and probable studies are also worth citing.
The final touches:
Your resume is your ticket to the professional world so it’s absolutely vital to get it right. Apart from proofreading it several times before submitting it, ask a few reliable friends, mentors or family members to re-examine it for errors. Also ask for feedback on the layout and content. After all, most of have them might have written résumés and their advice could actually help you turn yours into a great one.
For a first timer, no one will expect you to have a fully packed resume with loads of impressive experience yet. You will one day, but for the time being, just keep it simple and honest.
