As a college graduate, you’re just getting started in the job-seeking process. Although you don’t have much work experience, you still have a chance at nailing that next interview and getting the job you want. However, you’ll need to walk the extra mile.
Writing a successful resume as a graduate student can open a lot of doors that would otherwise stay closed. A resume will break the ice for you and help you show off your uniqueness and potential. And, if you’re not sure how to write a great resume, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s the ultimate guide for writing a killer resume after graduation.
1. Study The Job Description
The first thing you need to do before you start writing your resume is to take a close look at the description of the job that you’re applying for.
Yes, what we’re trying to say is:
- you should write a resume according to the job description
- you need to adapt it and change it for each new application
- you need to write for a specific job position
If you were to write a single resume and send it to different companies who are looking for different employees, your attempts at getting a job would be a failure.
Instead, read each job description carefully and tailor each of the following segments of your resume according to it.
2. Resume Summary
You should open up and kick it off with a motivating and inspiring resume summary. A resume summary is a brief and concise opening statement that identifies your:
- professional goals
- objectives
- skills
- uniqueness
The opening statement should be placed at the beginning of your resume in order to attract the attention of the hiring manager. Therefore, make sure that you write it carefully, and avoid using any of the cliché phrases such as “ready to face a new challenge”.
3. Experience
Now, as a college graduate, you most likely don’t have any actual work experience. But, you can still list the things that helped you become the hardworking professional you are today.
So, make sure that you list all job-related:
- volunteering experience
- internships
- positions within your college
Show off your hardworking side not by saying “I’m hardworking” but by showing your engagement during the years of studying and professional development.
4. Education
Since you’ve just graduated from college, your college education is a strong asset to your entire resume. That means that you should put the Education section towards the top of your resume and make it stand out.
When it comes to your education, make sure that you cover:
- the college you’ve attended
- degree title
- your major and minor
- your strong GPA
- dissertation title
This will show your credibility and increase your chances of getting a call back from the hiring managers.
5. Skills
Listing your skills is especially important which is why you should take into account the first section of this article. Listing your skills needs to be closely related or even based on the job description itself.
There are two types of skills you’re be listing.
- hard skills
Hard skills are the skills directly related to your job and profession. It’s the skills you’ll be using to actually do the job you’re hired for. For example, if you’re applying for the job of a graphic designer, the hard skills to list would be:- Adobe Illustrator
- Photoshop
- Coding
- CSS
- soft skills
Soft skills aren’t directly tied to a specific profession but can be found useful in numerous professions. Those skills include:- communication
- creativity
- time management
- organization
Think of the skills that are listed in the job description and make sure that you cover those exact skills in your resume.
6. Format
Now that you’ve listed all the most important things in your resume, it’s time to focus on the formatting.
Your resume needs to be:
- divided into sections
- easy to read
- concise
So, don’t use long sentences such as “During this volunteer period I’ve mastered the Adobe Illustrator” but go for something simpler like “mastered Adobe Illustrator”.
Use subheadings for each section and create lists using bullet points.
Make it simple and neatly organized so that the hiring managers or machines would have no trouble reading it.
7. Proofread & Edit
You want to show off your professionalism from the title of your resume to the last word. In order to do this, you have to use your editing and proofreading skills and make sure there are no mistakes to be found.
The best way to do this is to:
- finish the first draft
- let it rest
- come back to it later and edit the parts you don’t like
- proofread to remove any grammar or spelling mistakes
Also, you could ask a college friend or a family member to proofread once again, since they might spot the mistakes you didn’t. Finally, if you need any professional help with this, check out the websites that write for you and get help from them.
Final Thoughts
Writing a resume as a college graduate can be challenging and even stressful. You might feel like there’s not much to write, but it’s about your determination to succeed, not about the work experience you’ve had.
Follow the advice provided above and create a resume that will get you that second interview. Most importantly, be persistent and always give it your best.
Author’s bio. Daniela McVicker is a career coach and a contributor to Essayguard. She’s also a business communication coach, helping future job applicants to write business emails to help them achieve success on their career paths.
