Resume Tips for Recent Graduates

How to Make a Good First Impression with Little Work Experience

Jan 6, 2009 Andrea Aker

New grads need to showcase skills acquired inside and outside the classroom.

A college education in itself offers many job skills needed in the workforce, yet graduates often fail to accurately describe their accomplishments and current experience as they relate to a future career.

In addition to part-time jobs and internships, students gain many sought-after traits through classroom interactions, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Here are five ways to beef up an entry-level resume and stand out among potential employers:

Provide Supporting Examples for Each Skill Listed on a Functional Resume

Recent graduates with little work experience often use functional resumes that showcase job skills necessary for the position they seek. Not only should each skill relate to a specific job description, it’s important to include applicable examples. For instance, instead of listing “Good Communication Skills,” provide supporting details that demonstrate the skill:

Skills

Communication

  • Moderated weekly classroom discussions for five semesters as a teaching assistant for Introduction to Business
  • Regularly interacted with business department administrators and faculty as chair of Student Committee for Ethical Behavior

Highlight Relevant Classroom Experience

Experience gained in the classroom can be in demand as much as on-the-job experience. For example, students often have high computer skill levels because of increased access to the latest programs and software available. If specific computer skills are integral to a position, break it out as a separate section of the resume.

Other relevant classroom experience may include proficiency with new technologies, group leadership roles and project management.

Include Supporting Figures with Internship and Employment History

Don’t assume a potential employer is familiar with all companies listed on a resume. Use figures to quantify the breadth of duties and the size of the business. Further, many job titles don’t accurately describe the skills acquired. An office manager or customer service representative will have different responsibilities depending on the industry or company. Be sure to mention specific duties, noteworthy accomplishments and recognitions for each position. For example, a receptionist at an insurance company can be better described as:

Employment History

Receptionist, Big Insurance Company

  • Managed phone system for 30 staff members at the region’s largest insurance company
  • Developed filing system to track 2,000 customer sales
  • Named Employee of the Month twice within the first year of employment for outstanding customer relations

Resume Extras: Community Involvement, Extracurricular Activities, Honors and Awards

Activities outside of school and work can aid professional development too, yet be sure to include a statement that links the experiences with professional duties. Include information on leadership roles, depth of involvement, loyalty and noteworthy accomplishments. Additionally, make note of honors and awards received both inside and outside of school. This can include scholarships, classroom distinctions, attendance awards and recognitions for volunteering.

Sell Your Education

Include descriptors in the education section of the resume that provide insight into relevant coursework. For instance, a journalism major is broad and can mean different things to different people. Here are two possibilities to differentiate the emphasis of study:

  • Journalism major with emphasis in online news writing. Additional experience with videography and Web site development.
  • Journalism major with emphasis in broadcast journalism. Additional experience with video editing and editorial assignments.

Little work experience shouldn’t equate to a little resume. New graduates should showcase experience gained in the classroom, at work and in the community to create a well rounded professional picture. For more information on improving a resume, visit Using Keywords in Your Resume and How to Format a Resume.

The copyright of the article Resume Tips for Recent Graduates in Career Advice is owned by Andrea Aker. Permission to republish Resume Tips for Recent Graduates in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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