Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson
Creating a resume can be stressful especially when it seems that you have little information to incorporate into your document. If you are new at joining the workforce then you may want to consider focusing on your skills rather than your experience.
Use a simple and standard format and plain white paper with simple fonts. Make sure that your contact information is accurate and up to date. Include a cell phone number and email that uses a variation of your name for a professional look.
An impressive resume will hold a unique title and objective statement. Pick a job description that summarizes your skills and personality traits and use it as your job title and opening objective or tailor your title and objective to the specific job for which you are applying.
Open your resume with a three line introductory job title and objective statement telling the employer about your strongest traits. Your objective statement should articulate your strengths and goals for the job opening and major accomplishments from previous projects.
If you do not have any prior work experience then do not portray that you do. Instead, list any volunteering or community work that you have done as well as paid odd jobs. Translate any unpaid accomplishments that you have achieved into professional credentials.
Set realistic goals when you are choosing where to apply for a job. Make sure that there is room for advancement and highlight your desire to gain experience at their company. Demonstrate that you have the background to succeed despite your lack of job history.
Focus on your skills rather than your experiences. Emphasize your lack of job history and not your lack of experience. Highlight your education by listing course work at school that is relevant to the job and by noting any academic achievements or awards that you received.
List extra curricular activities such as school committees or positions of authority that you held. Library, computer and office skills can also be noted as an extra curricular activity. Match your skills and personality traits to the job instead of matching experience.
Keep your resume at one page and fill it up. List teachers, instructors, professors and authority figures that will vouch for your successes. Always be honest as resume lies will come back to haunt you. Make sure to follow up on progress a few days after applying for a job.
This same resume can be used by adults not attending school by listing life experience in place of extra curricular activities. Be sure to list any and all volunteering and fundraising that you may have done. Participation in odd jobs and non paid projects should also be included.
