Job and internship season is coming up for college students everywhere. And one of the best ways to have your application end up in the “do not follow up” is to have a weak resume. Most everyone knows that a good resume. Your probably know that resume needs to have all your skills and accomplishments listed in an organized way that shows how great of a fit you would be for the company. But there are some small, but very important, details that can make a huge difference in how an employer views you. In this blog, we’ll share 5 tips to help make your resume shine:
1. Keep your resume under one page.
Keeping your resume short will help recruiters quickly find the skills and experience they’re looking for. Go for quality examples of your impact rather than listing every club you’ve joined and job you’ve had.
2. Include keywords in your resume that match the job description.
Many companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify applicants with relevant experience. To make sure your resume actually does get read by a real person, find keywords from the job description and strategically place them in your resume.
3. Do not include your address on your resume.
Keeping the contact information simple and clear will save you space in your header. Only list what's necessary – name, phone number, and email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile, then include that as well. If you want to show that you are a local candidate, include your city and state.
4. Do not include your GPA on the resume
Having your GPA on your resume is never required. Some employers may request your grades or a list of courses you have taken. But it will really be your skills, volunteer, and work experience that will make you stand out.
5. Always save your resume in PDF Format.
PDF can ensure the content and design of your resume remains the same when viewing it on different systems. If you send your resume as a Word document, there is a good chance the formatting will not appear as you intended.
We hope these 5 tips have given you some simple ideas to enhance your resume and make sure you are highlighting the most relevant information. If you want to take your job or internship search to the next level, sign up for one of our free certificate programs. In just 90 minutes, you’ll get more actionable advice to become #WorkforceReady!