Résumé Writing 101
Get Your Résumé in Shape for Jobs and Internships
Before you start looking for that perfect job or internship, you need to create a résumé. And not just any résumé, but the kind that makes you stand out from the other people eager to land the job.
You might not have much of a work history to put on a résumé yet, but anything you’ve accomplished can show that you’re willing to work and that you can show up on time and perform your duties. Here are some ways to create a snapshot of your experience that is of interest to employers.
Focus on Relevant Information
The first rule of thumb for résumé-writing is to include at the beginning of your résumé the information that is most pertinent to each job you're applying for.
If you're applying for summer jobs or internships in a variety of fields, be prepared to write more than one résumé. Once you have the first done, use it as a template and just cut and paste to reorganize the most relevant information for different jobs.
Four Key Elements
Four main themes you should always include on your résumé, no matter where you're applying, are volunteerism, association memberships, computer proficiency and knowledge of other languages.
1. Volunteerism
Potential employers want to know you're a well-rounded member of society. Listing your participation in a program like Habitat for Humanity, or your weekly work at a local soup kitchen, can definitely add some pizzazz to a résumé short on work experience.
2. Association Memberships
It's also a good idea for younger high school students to list any associations they've belonged to, such as:
- National Honor Society (N.H.S.)
- National Art Honor Society (N.A.H.S.)
- Distributive Education Clubs of America (D.E.C.A.) — an association of marketing students
Juniors and seniors probably have more experience in this area; but don’t underestimate the value of your participation in any group role. This includes any other club participation at school or in your community.
3. Computer Proficiency
Knowledge of computers is a requirement for just about any job. Describe any and all experience you have with computers, listing the programs you're familiar with, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Photoshop. You should also list any online video, social networking and blogging experience.
4. Other Languages
The world is getting smaller and smaller, especially in the job market. In this global economy, knowing a second or third language can put you at an advantage in qualifying for a job and certainly separate you from other candidates.
Putting It All Together
Your résumé shouldn't be longer than one page. But don't feel that you have to use the résumé template that's found in most word processing programs. These models, though helpful, are often generic-looking.
Your résumé should have your name and all your contact information at the top. Keep the design simple and use a font that is easy to read.
Organization
You can organize your résumé in many different ways, but this is one of the most common. Use it to help you get started.
- Objective: state what kind of job or internship you're looking for.
- Experience: describe your job history.
- Education: just list your high school, unless you've taken college courses on the side.
- Other skills and information: list your computer and language skills and any associations to which you've belonged.
Action Words
Be sure to describe your roles and accomplishments with strong action words and key terms, especially ones that signify leadership and team roles you've had. These include words such as teamwork, team player, multitasking, executed, organized, performed, maintained, supervised, managed, directed, developed and implemented.
Writing Style
The wording of your résumé is just as important as the look. You may have to write several rough drafts to come up with one that really shines. Here are a few writing style rules to keep in mind:
- Use matching verb tenses.
- Keep all descriptions short. Descriptions should generally take up no more than three to four lines on the page.
- Full sentences are not necessary, but be consistent with punctuation.
Résumé Resources
Several job search engines have résumé-building pages on their websites that give you step-by-step guidelines to writing a résumé. Some popular sites to check out include:
- Monster Jobs, www.monster.com
- CareerBuilder, www.careerbuilder.com
While these sites are free, they also offer résumé-writing services you can order for a fee. It's always best to learn on your own, however, because knowing how to write a résumé properly is a valuable skill you'll have for a lifetime.
Get Another Opinion
Once you’ve completed your résumé, show it to a few friends or family members. Ask for their feedback on the content and the accuracy. And ask them to proofread it for you — so you can catch and fix any typos and make a good impression.
