Being an undergraduate while worrying about your uncertain future is challenging. What’s more challenging is when you don’t have job experience, and no one is ready to offer you a job without work experience. However, building a well-written and remarkable college resume can give you that push to your career and make you noticeable to employers and help you earn a job.
What is a college student’s resume?
Well, it’s just like a usual resume but in a summary form. It summarizes your studies and academic qualifications. It should give an overview of these experiences and explain how they will benefit you in your upcoming career.
Although, as a college student, you may have little professional experience. However, there are many other activities and skills that you can write in your cv which can impress your potential employer.
These could include summer camps, part-time jobs, freelancing gigs, volunteering positions, sports, cultural activities, or whatever relevant past experiences you may have.
What does your potential employer expect from you?
No matter what you write, keep it short and precise. Recruiters don’t have all the time in the world, and your resume is among hundreds of other resumes that go through the ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and selects the ones that are more relevant to the job description and job title.
It’s important to remember that your potential employers are aware that you are an inexperienced job seeker and embarking on a career for the first time.
They know that you may or may not have a work history attached to your resume. So, they do not expect a long list of work experience.
However, they will want to assess your maturity, motivation, ambition, and work ethic. Ensure to highlight how college has helped you develop these qualities.
In this article, I’ll be giving you 4 lesser-known ways to make your resume stand out from the crowd and shine:
1) Start with an off-campus project.
Don’t waste your precious time doing nothing but study in college. College provides you with myriads of opportunities. Use those opportunities. Participates in live projects related to your major or interest.
By doing this, you can show future employers that you have a creative mind, an interest in trend-setting, and the motivation to get things done. Writing a resume is not a big deal, but putting in the valuable information and relevant experience can surely amp up your resume.
For example, if you are in marketing, you might offer to set up or manage the social media platforms for a local burger joint. By doing this, you can show your hiring manager that you’ve contacts you can bring to work.
2) Turn a boring resume into one that is super-charged.
An action-packed resume is still better than a boring one. Instead of thinking of it as informative trash where you put whatever experience and education qualification you’ve, think of it as a professional portfolio or professional resume that showcase your:
- What have you done in college? (Education)
- What actions did you have to take at previous jobs? It can be a summer camp or an internship.
- What skills do you know how to do that will set you apart from the crowd? You can mention the essential skills that you’ve used during the time you worked with the company.
Instead of saying, “I worked at Pearl Agency as Public Relations Intern.” Focus on what you did there:
“At Pearl Agency, I communicated with the clients and managed events. Along with it, I created and curated engaging content to support the company’s PR strategy.”
3) Referrals can boost your resume
To make your job application or resume shine, you need referrals. Period.
How to get one? Well, go to the clubs or meets where the industry leaders in your field gather. Network with them and share your views about their products or services. The referrals can surely amp up your credibility while creating a resume.
4) Create an online presence or portfolio
Everything is digital nowadays. When you eventually take your degree and resume to a potential employer, you will probably be doing it via an online job application, video conference, or phone call.
A great way to make yourself look even more attractive in these virtual job interviews is to have an established online presence that makes you an authority in your field.
If you’re a content designer, start a writing blog with tips, articles, and how to start a writing and freelancing career.
It will blow your future employer away when you can add a web URL to your resume with examples of your work and a list of followers that prove you have something valuable to contribute.
Resume Format
If you want to write a professional resume that can get you hired by your dream company. We got you! Check this article where you can find a resume sample and checklist that can impress your future employer. YOU CAN DO IT!!
P.S We will shortly share resume templates with you.