HOW TO BUILD A RESUME
WHAT IS A RESUME?
Creating a strong resume is the first step in applying for jobs, schools, internships, etc. Essentially it is a document 1-2 pages long with information about your education, skills, and accomplishments. Sometimes references are included.
CREATE A FORMAT
Every resume should be customized to the job that you are applying to. You can change up the headings, the order of events, the fonts/sizing. The only thing we recommend is, DO NOT use a template from Microsoft word, it is often seen as "lazy" by empolyers. Search for resume examples on google images and try to recreate one that you find. They do not need to be colorful or elaborate. What is on the paper matters more than how you look.
HOW DO I STRUCTURE IT?
Typically, your education and any awards are at the top. Then you have experiences and skills. When putting in your experiences they should be in reverse chronological order. The means that the things that you are doing now, or you just recently did are listed first. The start date does not matter, it is only the end date that counts. These experiences can include jobs, internships, etc., with the most recent experience listed first. This helps employers see a timeline of the experiences you have had and for how long you had them. This is a good resume format for people who have a long history in a certain field, but may not always be the best for those who are just starting out in their career.
HOW DO I MAKE IT FUNCTIONAL
A functional resume focuses less on your chronological work history, and more on your specific skills and experiences. You can have several different sections in this resume that highlight your strengths, such as “accomplishments”, "language skills," “professional experience”, “volunteer experience”, etc. This is a good resume format for those who are new to the workforce or have limited experience. Each resume should be slightly different due to the companies goals and how your experiences align with them.
WHAT IF I WANT TO BE DIFFERENT
A non-traditional resume can make a very large statement, however it is not always positive if used incorrectly. These special types of resumes are made by someone who is trying to work in a creative field, such as graphic design or music. Their resume may include photos, graphics, art, and other visuals. It can either be an online or physical format. This is not the norm, but if you have the skills and are applying to a specific field, go for it!
WHAT IS ALWAYS NEEDED
-
Regardless of resume format, you always need to include some basic identifying information so that the employer can reach you. You will need to include information such as your name, phone number, email address, and possibly a mailing address (but this is optional).
-
List your education. This will include information such as the most recent school you attended, graduation year (or anticipated graduation year), and GPA. Include any other education you’ve received, such as certifications from training programs, seminars you’ve attended, Dual-enrollment courses, etc.
-
Make sure someone else proof reads your resume to see if it reads well and that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. The more friends, family or teachers that read your resume and the more feedback you get, the better.